Using Technology to Learn About Immunology of Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions

Abstract

Analysis of genes associated with cADRs revealed strong associations with specific HLA alleles. Since HLA molecules function in presentation of antigens to T cells, these data suggested immunological mechanisms in which drugs trigger cADRs by stimulation of pathogenic T cells through HLA-restricted T-cell recognition events. Application of biochemical, biophysical, and structure-based molecular docking technologies has the potential to gain new insight into mechanisms of drug hypersensitivity. Abacavir hypersensitivity syndrome was strongly associated with HLA-B*57:01 and provides an example of how technology can provide evidence for mechanisms that promote immunologically mediated adverse events.