HLA-DQB1 6672G>C (rs113332494) is associated with clozapine-induced neutropenia and agranulocytosis in individuals of European ancestry



Konte, Bettina, Walters, James TR, Rujescu, Dan, Legge, Sophie E, Pardinas, Antonio F, Cohen, Dan, Pirmohamed, Munir ORCID: 0000-0002-7534-7266, Tiihonen, Jari, Hartmann, Annette M, Bogers, Jan P
et al (show 17 more authors) (2021) HLA-DQB1 6672G>C (rs113332494) is associated with clozapine-induced neutropenia and agranulocytosis in individuals of European ancestry. TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY, 11 (1). 214-.

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Abstract

The atypical antipsychotic clozapine is the only effective medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, it can also induce serious adverse drug reactions, including agranulocytosis and neutropenia. The mechanism by which it does so is largely unknown, but there is evidence for contributing genetic factors. Several studies identified HLA-DQB1 variants and especially a polymorphism located in HLA-DQB1 (6672G>C, rs113332494) as associated with clozapine-induced agranulocytosis and neutropenia. We analysed the risk allele distribution of SNP rs113332494 in a sample of 1396 controls and 178 neutropenia cases of which 60 developed agranulocytosis. Absolute neutrophil counts of 500/mm<sup>3</sup> and 1500/mm<sup>3</sup> were used for defining agranulocytosis and neutropenia cases, respectively. We also performed association analyses and analysed local ancestry patterns in individuals of European ancestry, seeking replication and extension of earlier findings. HLA-DQB1 (6672G>C, rs113332494) was associated with neutropenia (OR = 6.20, P = 2.20E-06) and agranulocytosis (OR = 10.49, P = 1.83E-06) in individuals of European ancestry. The association signal strengthened after including local ancestry estimates (neutropenia: OR = 10.38, P = 6.05E-08; agranulocytosis: OR = 16.31, P = 1.39E-06), with effect sizes being considerably larger for agranulocytosis. Using local ancestry estimates for prediction, the sensitivity of rs113332494 increased from 11.28 to 55.64% for neutropenia and from 16.67 to 53.70% for agranulocytosis. Our study further strengthens the evidence implicating HLA-DQB1 in agranulocytosis and neutropenia, suggesting components of the immune system as contributing to this serious adverse drug reaction. Using local ancestry estimates might help in identifying risk variants and improve prediction of haematological adverse effects.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Neutropenia, Clozapine, Antipsychotic Agents, HLA-DQ beta-Chains
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 27 Jan 2022 09:15
Last Modified: 17 Oct 2023 21:21
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01322-w
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01322-w
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3147669