HLA-B locus in Caucasian patients with carbamazepine hypersensitivity

Background: A strong pharmacogenetic association has been reported in Chinese patients between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-8*1502 and carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Methods: We have gencityped the HLA-B alleles in 56 Caucasian patients with varying severities of CBZ hypersensitivity and 43 controls on CBZ without adverse effects. Results: None of our patients (including two with blistering skin rashes) were positive for the HLA-B*1502 allele. HLA-B*0702 allele may protect against severe CBZ hypersensitivity but warrants further study. Of secondary interest, the correlation between HLA-B*0801 and HLA-DR3, DQ2 and TNF-308 alleles (on the ancestral haplotype 8.1) is consistent with our previous findings. Conclusion: HLA-B*1502 does not seem to be a marker for all forms of CBZ-induced hypersensitivity in a Caucasian population.