HLA-DRB1*16:02 is associated with PEG-asparaginase hypersensitivity.

Aim: To evaluate the associations between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 variants and the rs6021191 variant in nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (NFATC2) with PEG-asparaginase hypersensitivity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated according to the Chinese Children Leukemia Group (CCLG) ALL 2018 protocol. Methods:HLA-DRB1 genotyping was performed using a PCR sequence-based typing (SBT) method. NFATC2 rs6021191 was genotyped applying TaqMan Genotyping Assay. Results: T-ALL and higher risk groups were at higher risk for PEG-asparaginase hypersensitivity. No association was found between NFATC2 rs6021191 and PEG-asparaginase hypersensitivity. HLA-DRB1*16:02 variant was associated with PEG-asparaginase allergy both in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Our results confirm that variations in HLA-DRB1 might influence the development of asparaginase hypersensitivity.