Impact of HLA-DQA1*05 Genotype in Immunogenicity and Failure to Treatment with Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha Antagonists in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND HLA-DQA1*05 carriage has been associated with an increased risk of immunogenicity in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) antagonists. Results have shown an inconsistent association with a loss of response (LOR) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which could be modified when using proactive optimization and association with immunomodulatory drugs. AIMS To define the association of HLA-DQA1*05 on anti-drug antibody development and loss of response (LOR) to anti-TNF-a in IBD. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and SCOPUS, for the period up to August 2023, to identify studies reporting the risk of immunogenicity and/or LOR in IBD patients with HLA-DQA1*05 genotype. RESULTS Twenty-four studies comprising 12 papers, 11 abstracts and 1 research letter, with a total of 5,727 IBD patients, were included. In a meta-analysis of 10 studies (2,984 patients; 41.9% with HLA-DQA1*05 genotype), HLA-DQA1*05 carriers had higher risk of immunogenicity compared to non-carriers (risk ratio, 1.54; 95%CI, 1.23−1.94; I2=62%) (low certainty evidence). Lack of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) increased immunogenicity in the presence of risk HLA (risk ratio 1.97; 95%CI, 1.35−2.88; I2=66%), while proactive TDM revoked this association (very low certainty of evidence). A meta-analysis of 6 studies (765 patients) found that risk for secondary LOR was higher among HLA-DQA1*05 carriers (hazard ratio 2.21; 95%CI, 1.69−2.88; I2=0%) (very low certainty evidence), although definition and time to assessment varied widely among studies. CONCLUSION HLA-DQA1*05 carriage may be associated with an increased risk of immunogenicity and secondary LOR in IBD patients treated with TNF-a antagonists.