U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase deficiency(TPMTD; THPM1)

MedGen UID:
83352
Concept ID:
C0342801
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Thiopurine S methyltranferase deficiency; THIOPURINES, POOR METABOLISM OF, 1; TPMT deficiency
 
Gene (location): TPMT (6p22.3)
Related gene: NUDT15
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0012503
OMIM®: 610460

Definition

The thiopurines include azathioprine (a pro-drug for mercaptopurine), mercaptopurine and thioguanine. They are used to treat a variety of immunological disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, non- Hodgkin lymphoma and ulcerative colitis. Both mercaptopurine and thioguanine can exert cytotoxic effects through the formation of thioguanine nucleotides (TGNs), active metabolites that incorporate into DNA. Mercaptopurine and thioguanine are directly inactivated by thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT). Individuals with two nonfunctional TPMT alleles are at 100% risk of potentially fatal myelosuppression, due to an increased buildup of toxic TGNs. Alternative agents or a drastically reduced dose are recommended for patients with this genotype. Patients heterozygous for a nonfunctional TPMT allele are at increased risk of myelosuppression, and reduced dosing is recommended for these individuals. These dosing guidelines have been published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics by the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) and are available on the PharmGKB website. [from PharmGKB]

Additional descriptions

From OMIM
THPM1 is an autosomal recessive trait associated with severe hematopoietic toxicity when patients are treated with standard doses of the antineoplastic agents 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) or 6-thioguanine (6TG), or the immunosuppressant azathioprine (AZA) (Lennard et al., 1989). The thiopurines are prodrugs that require extensive metabolism in order to exert their cytotoxic action. Azathioprine is nonenzymatically reduced to 6MP. 6MP and 6TG are activated by HPRT (308000) and subsequent steps to form cytotoxic thioguanine nucleotides (TGNs) which are incorporated into DNA and/or RNA, causing DNA-protein cross-links, single-strand breaks, interstrand cross-links, and sister chromatid exchange. TPMT functions mainly to inactivate these drugs; thus, a deficiency of TPMT results in increased conversion to toxic TGNs, which can result in myelosuppression (Coulthard and Hogarth, 2005). However, 6MP is unique in that it can also be converted via TPMT into a methyl-thioinosine 5-prime monophosphate (MeTIMP), a metabolite that inhibits de novo purine synthesis and likely contributes to the cytotoxic effect of 6MP (Vogt et al., 1993; Krynetski et al., 1995; Coulthard and Hogarth, 2005). Genetic Heterogeneity of Poor Thiopurine Metabolism See also THPM2 (616903), caused by variation in the NUDT15 gene (615792) on chromosome 13q14.  http://www.omim.org/entry/610460
From MedlinePlus Genetics
Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency is a condition characterized by significantly reduced activity of an enzyme that helps the body process drugs called thiopurines. These drugs, which include 6-thioguanine, 6-mercaptopurine, and azathioprine, inhibit (suppress) the body's immune system. Thiopurine drugs are used to treat some autoimmune disorders, including Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, which occur when the immune system malfunctions. These drugs are also used to treat several forms of cancer, particularly cancers of blood-forming tissue (leukemias) and cancers of immune system cells (lymphomas). Additionally, thiopurine drugs are used in organ transplant recipients to help prevent the immune system from attacking the transplanted organ.

A potential complication of treatment with thiopurine drugs is damage to the bone marrow (hematopoietic toxicity). Although this complication can occur in anyone who takes these drugs, people with TPMT deficiency are at highest risk. Bone marrow normally makes several types of blood cells, including red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which help protect the body from infection; and platelets, which are involved in blood clotting. Damage to the bone marrow results in myelosuppression, a condition in which the bone marrow is unable to make enough of these cells. A shortage of red blood cells (anemia) can cause pale skin (pallor), weakness, shortness of breath, and extreme tiredness (fatigue). Low numbers of white blood cells (neutropenia) can lead to frequent and potentially life-threatening infections. A shortage of platelets (thrombocytopenia) can cause easy bruising and bleeding.

Many healthcare providers recommend that patients' TPMT activity levels be tested before thiopurine drugs are prescribed. In people who are found to have reduced enzyme activity, the drugs may be given at a significantly lower dose or different medications can be used to reduce the risk of hematopoietic toxicity.

TPMT deficiency does not appear to cause any health problems other than those associated with thiopurine drug treatment.  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/thiopurine-s-methyltransferase-deficiency

Clinical features

From HPO
Abnormality of blood and blood-forming tissues
MedGen UID:
163092
Concept ID:
C0850715
Finding
An abnormality of the hematopoietic system.
Abnormality of metabolism/homeostasis
MedGen UID:
867398
Concept ID:
C4021768
Finding

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
Follow this link to review classifications for Thiopurine S-methyltransferase deficiency in Orphanet.

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Drew L
Nature 2016 Sep 8;537(7619):S60-2. doi: 10.1038/537S60a. PMID: 27602742
Roberts RL, Barclay ML
J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Oct;27(10):1546-54. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2012.07220.x. PMID: 22741564
Mayo MJ
Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2011 May;27(3):224-30. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0b013e3283457ce0. PMID: 21451411

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Bourgine J, Garat A, Allorge D, Crunelle-Thibaut A, Lo-Guidice JM, Colombel JF, Broly F, Billaut-Laden I
Pharmacogenet Genomics 2011 Jun;21(6):313-24. doi: 10.1097/FPC.0b013e3283449200. PMID: 21372752
von Ahsen N, Armstrong VW, Behrens C, von Tirpitz C, Stallmach A, Herfarth H, Stein J, Bias P, Adler G, Shipkova M, Oellerich M, Kruis W, Reinshagen M, Schütz E
Clin Chem 2005 Dec;51(12):2282-8. Epub 2005 Oct 7 doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2005.057158. PMID: 16214825
Evans WE, Hon YY, Bomgaars L, Coutre S, Holdsworth M, Janco R, Kalwinsky D, Keller F, Khatib Z, Margolin J, Murray J, Quinn J, Ravindranath Y, Ritchey K, Roberts W, Rogers ZR, Schiff D, Steuber C, Tucci F, Kornegay N, Krynetski EY, Relling MV
J Clin Oncol 2001 Apr 15;19(8):2293-301. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2001.19.8.2293. PMID: 11304783
Corominas H, Domènech M, González D, Diaz C, Roca M, García-González MA, Peña S, Baiget M
Am J Gastroenterol 2000 Sep;95(9):2313-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.02256.x. PMID: 11007234
Pui CH
Pediatr Clin North Am 1997 Aug;44(4):831-46. doi: 10.1016/s0031-3955(05)70532-0. PMID: 9286287

Diagnosis

Wong DR, Coenen MJ, Vermeulen SH, Derijks LJ, van Marrewijk CJ, Klungel OH, Scheffer H, Franke B, Guchelaar HJ, de Jong DJ, Engels LG, Verbeek AL, Hooymans PM; TOPIC recruitment team
J Crohns Colitis 2017 Feb;11(2):175-184. Epub 2016 Jul 9 doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw130. PMID: 27402913
Krishnamurthy P, Schwab M, Takenaka K, Nachagari D, Morgan J, Leslie M, Du W, Boyd K, Cheok M, Nakauchi H, Marzolini C, Kim RB, Poonkuzhali B, Schuetz E, Evans W, Relling M, Schuetz JD
Cancer Res 2008 Jul 1;68(13):4983-9. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-6790. PMID: 18593894Free PMC Article
Pui CH
Pediatr Clin North Am 1997 Aug;44(4):831-46. doi: 10.1016/s0031-3955(05)70532-0. PMID: 9286287
Yates CR, Krynetski EY, Loennechen T, Fessing MY, Tai HL, Pui CH, Relling MV, Evans WE
Ann Intern Med 1997 Apr 15;126(8):608-14. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-126-8-199704150-00003. PMID: 9103127

Therapy

Wong DR, Coenen MJ, Vermeulen SH, Derijks LJ, van Marrewijk CJ, Klungel OH, Scheffer H, Franke B, Guchelaar HJ, de Jong DJ, Engels LG, Verbeek AL, Hooymans PM; TOPIC recruitment team
J Crohns Colitis 2017 Feb;11(2):175-184. Epub 2016 Jul 9 doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw130. PMID: 27402913
Roberts RL, Barclay ML
Pharmacogenomics 2015 Jul;16(8):891-903. Epub 2015 Jun 12 doi: 10.2217/pgs.15.29. PMID: 26067482
Bourgine J, Garat A, Allorge D, Crunelle-Thibaut A, Lo-Guidice JM, Colombel JF, Broly F, Billaut-Laden I
Pharmacogenet Genomics 2011 Jun;21(6):313-24. doi: 10.1097/FPC.0b013e3283449200. PMID: 21372752
Krishnamurthy P, Schwab M, Takenaka K, Nachagari D, Morgan J, Leslie M, Du W, Boyd K, Cheok M, Nakauchi H, Marzolini C, Kim RB, Poonkuzhali B, Schuetz E, Evans W, Relling M, Schuetz JD
Cancer Res 2008 Jul 1;68(13):4983-9. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-6790. PMID: 18593894Free PMC Article
Evans WE, Hon YY, Bomgaars L, Coutre S, Holdsworth M, Janco R, Kalwinsky D, Keller F, Khatib Z, Margolin J, Murray J, Quinn J, Ravindranath Y, Ritchey K, Roberts W, Rogers ZR, Schiff D, Steuber C, Tucci F, Kornegay N, Krynetski EY, Relling MV
J Clin Oncol 2001 Apr 15;19(8):2293-301. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2001.19.8.2293. PMID: 11304783

Prognosis

Wong DR, Coenen MJ, Vermeulen SH, Derijks LJ, van Marrewijk CJ, Klungel OH, Scheffer H, Franke B, Guchelaar HJ, de Jong DJ, Engels LG, Verbeek AL, Hooymans PM; TOPIC recruitment team
J Crohns Colitis 2017 Feb;11(2):175-184. Epub 2016 Jul 9 doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw130. PMID: 27402913
Roberts RL, Barclay ML
Pharmacogenomics 2015 Jul;16(8):891-903. Epub 2015 Jun 12 doi: 10.2217/pgs.15.29. PMID: 26067482
Corominas H, Domènech M, González D, Diaz C, Roca M, García-González MA, Peña S, Baiget M
Am J Gastroenterol 2000 Sep;95(9):2313-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.02256.x. PMID: 11007234
Pui CH
Pediatr Clin North Am 1997 Aug;44(4):831-46. doi: 10.1016/s0031-3955(05)70532-0. PMID: 9286287

Clinical prediction guides

Wong DR, Coenen MJ, Vermeulen SH, Derijks LJ, van Marrewijk CJ, Klungel OH, Scheffer H, Franke B, Guchelaar HJ, de Jong DJ, Engels LG, Verbeek AL, Hooymans PM; TOPIC recruitment team
J Crohns Colitis 2017 Feb;11(2):175-184. Epub 2016 Jul 9 doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw130. PMID: 27402913
Roberts RL, Barclay ML
Pharmacogenomics 2015 Jul;16(8):891-903. Epub 2015 Jun 12 doi: 10.2217/pgs.15.29. PMID: 26067482
Corominas H, Domènech M, González D, Diaz C, Roca M, García-González MA, Peña S, Baiget M
Am J Gastroenterol 2000 Sep;95(9):2313-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.02256.x. PMID: 11007234
Lee EJ, Kalow W
Clin Pharmacol Ther 1993 Jul;54(1):28-33. doi: 10.1038/clpt.1993.105. PMID: 8330462

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...