T cell responses to drugs and drug metabolites

Exp Suppl. 2014:104:137-63. doi: 10.1007/978-3-0348-0726-5_10.

Abstract

Understanding the chemical mechanisms by which drugs and drug metabolites interact with cells of the immune system is pivotal to our knowledge of drug hypersensitivity as a whole.In this chapter, we will discuss the currently accepted mechanisms where there is scientific and clinical evidence to support the ways in which drugs and their metabolites interact with T cells. We will also discuss bioanalytical platforms, such as mass spectrometry, and in vitro test assays such as the lymphocyte transformation test that can be used to study drug hypersensitivity; the combination of such techniques can be used to relate the chemistry of drug antigen formation to immune function. Ab initio T cell priming assays are also discussed with respect to predicting the potential of a drug to cause hypersensitivity reactions in humans in relation to the chemistry of the drug and its ability to form haptens, antigens and immunogens in patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / etiology
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Techniques
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*