title: Improving drug safety by locating genetic markers for hypersensitivity reactions.
abstract: Individuals vary in their response to a medication with regard to efficacy and adverse effects. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region of DNA offers the key to predicting drug hypersensitivity reactions. Single nucleotide polymorphisms for hypersensitivity reactions with carbamazepine, abacavir and allopurinol have been identified. A randomised controlled trial demonstrated the effectiveness of prospective screening for the predisposing genetic marker in preventing all cases of the hypersensitivity reaction with abacavir. Further pharmacogenetic investigation of hypersensitivity reactions could be conducted in Australia by establishing a network of sentinel hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC. kathlyn.ronaldson@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Kathlyn J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ronaldson
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McNeil
mesh_terms: D054316:Biomarkers, Pharmacological / Q000032:analysis*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D010597:Pharmacogenetics / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D054316:Biomarkers, Pharmacological; D005819:Genetic Markers