Clinical relevance of DPYD variants c.1679T>G, c.1236G>A/HapB3, and c.1601G>A as predictors of severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data

Didier Meulendijks (Lead Author), Linda M. Henricks, Gabe S. Sonke, Maarten J. Deenen, Tanja K. Froehlich, Ursula Amstutz, Carlo R. Largiadèr, Barbara A. Jennings, Anthony M. Marinaki, Jeremy D. Sanderson, Zdenek Kleibl, Petra Kleiblova, Matthias Schwab, Ulrich M. Zanger, Claire Palles, Ian Tomlinson, Eva Gross, André B.P. van Kuilenburg, Cornelis J.A. Punt, Miriam KoopmanJos H. Beijnen, Annemieke Cats

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Abstract

Background: The best-known cause of intolerance to fluoropyrimidines is dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency, which can result from deleterious polymorphisms in the gene encoding DPD (DPYD), including DPYD*2A and c.2846A>T. Three other variants—DPYD c.1679T>G, c.1236G>A/HapB3, and c.1601G>A—have been associated with DPD deficiency, but no definitive evidence for the clinical validity of these variants is available. The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the clinical validity of c.1679T>G, c.1236G>A/HapB3, and c.1601G>A as predictors of severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity.  Methods: We did a systematic review of the literature published before Dec 17, 2014, to identify cohort studies investigating associations between DPYD c.1679T>G, c.1236G>A/HapB3, and c.1601G>A and severe (grade ≥3) fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity in patients treated with fluoropyrimidines (fluorouracil, capecitabine, or tegafur-uracil as single agents, in combination with other anticancer drugs, or with radiotherapy). Individual patient data were retrieved and analysed in a multivariable analysis to obtain an adjusted relative risk (RR). Effect estimates were pooled by use of a random-effects meta-analysis. The threshold for significance was set at a p value of less than 0·0167 (Bonferroni correction).  Findings: 7365 patients from eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. DPYD c.1679T>G was significantly associated with fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity (adjusted RR 4·40, 95% CI 2·08–9·30, p<0·0001), as was c.1236G>A/HapB3 (1·59, 1·29–1·97, p<0·0001). The association between c.1601G>A and fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity was not significant (adjusted RR 1·52, 95% CI 0·86–2·70, p=0·15). Analysis of individual types of toxicity showed consistent associations of c.1679T>G and c.1236G>A/HapB3 with gastrointestinal toxicity (adjusted RR 5·72, 95% CI 1·40–23·33, p=0·015; and 2·04, 1·49–2·78, p<0·0001, respectively) and haematological toxicity (adjusted RR 9·76, 95% CI 3·03–31·48, p=0·00014; and 2·07, 1·17–3·68, p=0·013, respectively), but not with hand-foot syndrome. DPYD*2A and c.2846A>T were also significantly associated with severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity (adjusted RR 2·85, 95% CI 1·75–4·62, p<0·0001; and 3·02, 2·22–4·10, p<0·0001, respectively).  Interpretation: DPYD variants c.1679T>G and c.1236G>A/HapB3 are clinically relevant predictors of fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity. Upfront screening for these variants, in addition to the established variants DPYD*2A and c.2846A>T, is recommended to improve the safety of patients with cancer treated with fluoropyrimidines.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1639-1650
Number of pages12
JournalThe Lancet Oncology
Volume16
Issue number16
Early online date23 Oct 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2015

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