Prevalence and impact of Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) and Nudix hydrolase 15 (NUDT15) polymorphisms on the occurrence of myelosuppression in Thai patients with inflammatory bowel disease receiving thiopurine therapy.
Phoojaroenchanachai Rujirada R, Chaemsupaphan Thanaboon T, Sattayalertyanyong Onuma O, Subdee Nichcha N et al.
Thiopurine-induced myelosuppression (TIM) is an important side effect influenced by 2 main genetic polymorphisms, thiopurine-S-methyltransferase (TPMT) and NUDT15. The data on Southeast Asian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients remain limited. Our study aimed to determine the relationship between TPMT and NUDT15 polymorphisms and TIM following thiopurine treatment in Thai patients with IBD. We performed a retrospective cohort study of IBD patients receiving azathioprine with active follow-up at the IBD clinic. TPMT and NUDT15 polymorphisms were checked. Medical records were reviewed for TIM occurrence and its genetic associations. A total of 124 IBD patients (73 Crohn's disease, 51 ulcerative colitis; mean age 46.9 years) were included. Initial azathioprine dosing was 0.87 mg/kg/day, titrated to 1.54 mg/kg/day. TPMT variants were found in 6 patients (4.8%; 5 heterozygous and 1 homozygous) and NUDT15 variants in 21 patients (16.9%; 20 heterozygous and 1 homozygous). Over a 7.6-year follow-up, TIM occurred in 12 patients (9.7%). TIM rate was not significantly different among TPMT polymorphisms (wild-type 9.3%, heterozygous 20%, homozygous 0%), but was significantly different among NUDT15 polymorphisms (7.8% wild-type and heterozygous/homozygous 19%). The cumulative rates of TIM at 6, 12, and 60 months were 2.1%, 3.2%, and 7.2% in wild type and 0%, 5%, and 10% in NUDT15 heterozygous mutation. The only participant with a homozygous mutation developed TIM within the first month. NUDT15 polymorphisms are more common than TPMT variants in this study and are significantly associated with TIM. Pre-treatment genotyping may be considered, taking into account local mutation prevalence, test availability, and cost-effectiveness.