No Evidence for Drug-Specific Activation of Circulating T Cells from Patients with HLA-DRB1*07:01-Restricted Lapatinib-Induced Liver Injury.

It is hypothesized that lapatinib-induced liver injury is caused by HLA-mediated antigen presentation to CD4 positive T cells. However, analysis of PBMC and cloned T-cells from patients with HLA-DRB1*07:01-restricted lapatinib-induced liver injury revealed no evidence for drug specific activation. T cells were exposed to lapatinib, the M11 aldehyde, and quinone imine [oxidized form of hydroquinone amine Ml] metabolites. Reactivity of the quinone imine was confirmed by mass spectrometry.