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Title: Azathioprine-induced fatal myelosuppression in systemic lupus erythematosus patient carrying TPMT*3C polymorphism. Author: Boonsrirat U, Angsuthum S, Vannaprasaht S, Kongpunvijit J, Hirankarn N, Tassaneeyakul W, Avihingsanon Y. Journal: Lupus; 2008 Feb; 17(2):132-4. PubMed ID: 18250137. Abstract: Azathioprine (AZA) is a commonly used immunosuppressant for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Myelosuppression is a serious adverse reaction due to AZA and its metabolites. Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is the rate-limiting enzyme. Variations of TPMT enzyme activity may be responsible for myelosuppression. However, a correlation between certain mutant alleles of low TPMT enzyme activity and myelotoxicity has also been suggested as a factor. We describe herein a case of AZA-induced severe myelosuppression associated with TPMT*3C heterozygous mutant allele in a SLE patient. The patient presented with pancytopenia, sepsis, typhlitis and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy after a short period of AZA therapy. The patient had low TPMT activity and TPMT*3C genotype. Measurement of TPMT activity and determination of TPMT variant allele may identify patients at risk for AZA-induced myelosuppression.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]