The association of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 with irinotecan-induced neutropenia in Asians: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND:The UGT1A1*28 polymorphism is known as a biomarker of irinotecan-induced neutropenia in Caucasians. However, in Asians, the UGT1A1*28 mutation is much less frequent. METHODS:A meta-analysis was performed to assess the association of the UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 with neutropenia in Asians. RESULTS:In a combination test of the two variations, patients with severe neutropenia displayed a 155% higher mutational load than those that were not neutropenic (ORG = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.82-3.58). CONCLUSIONS:In Asians, a combination test of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 might be a potential biomarker of irinotecan-induced neutropenia, an observation that will need additional trials for confirmation.