We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Genetic Test Predicts Adverse Reaction To Toxic Goiter Treatment

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 May 2016
Print article
Image: A photomicrograph of a bone marrow aspiration biopsy showing drug-induced agranulocytosis (Photo courtesy of NMH).
Image: A photomicrograph of a bone marrow aspiration biopsy showing drug-induced agranulocytosis (Photo courtesy of NMH).
Agranulocytosis is an acute condition involving a severe and dangerous leukopenia or lowered white blood cell count and drug-induced agranulocytosis is a potentially life-threatening adverse reaction, and adverse drugs reactions are a leading cause of admission to hospital.

Genetic variation is believed to contribute to a majority of serious immune-mediated adverse drug reactions and gene variants have been found that predict the risk of a serious adverse reaction to drugs used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, which is due to due to excessive production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.

A large number of international scientists and doctors led by those at Uppsala University (Sweden) are developing tests to predict patients at high risk of suffering side effects so that they can be offered other treatment. In the long run, this could lead to safer and more individualized treatment. They performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 234 European adults with any non-chemotherapy drug-induced agranulocytosis where the absolute neutrophil count was equal to or less than 0·5 × 109/L (less than 500/μL) and 5,170 population controls. There were 39 of the 234 patients who had agranulocytosis that was induced by antithyroid drugs. After imputation and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele prediction, 9,380,034 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 180 HLA alleles were tested for association.

Agranulocytosis induced by non-chemotherapy drugs in general was significantly associated with the HLA region on chromosome 6. Drug-specific analysis showed that the association with HLA-B*27:05 was largely driven by cases induced by antithyroid drugs. In heterozygous carriers three specific SNPs predicted probability of antithyroid drug-induced agranulocytosis was about 30%. To avoid one case of agranulocytosis based on the possible risk reduction if all three SNPs are genotyped and carriers are treated or monitored differently from non-carriers, roughly 238 patients would need to be genotyped.

Mia Wadelius, MD, PhD, a senior physician and lead author of the study said, “'Some patients treated with medication for hyperthyroidism, such as thiamazole (methimazole), carbimazole or propylthiouracil, react with agranulocytosis which is a lack of white blood cells that suppresses the immune system. We have shown that certain immune genes increase the risk of agranulocytosis by 750 times in Europeans. This gives us an opportunity to individualize treatment using genetic testing and thus avoid an unnecessary adverse reaction.” The study was published on May 3, 2016, in the journal Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Related Links:
Uppsala University

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
TORCH Panel Rapid Test
Rapid TORCH Panel Test

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.