Insights into carbamazepine-induced hypersensitivity reactions of the skin using a multi-omics approach

The unpredictable Type IV drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions to the anti-seizure medication carbamazepine result in skin pathology ranging from a mild rash to life-threatening Stevens-Johnson syndrome. I undertook a multi-omics approach, that included genomics and transcriptomics, which resulted in the identification of novel biomarkers that differentiate disease severity and highlight the propensity of drug treated individuals to develop more severe drug reactions. This analysis also highlighted a role for non-conventional T cells in the more severe skin pathologies. Overall, these insights will inform future clinical management of drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions including more accurate rash classification, prognosis and direct novel treatment options.