26572 Thiopurine Methyltransferase Activity Profile, Erythrocytes (TPMT3)

Azathioprine toxicity, Imuran toxicity, Mercaptopurine (6-MP) toxicity, Purinethol toxicity, Thioguanine (6-TG) toxicity, Thiopurine resistance, Myelosuppression, Hematopoietic toxicity, TPMT (Thiopurine Methyltransferase), TPMT Phenotype, Liver toxicity, TPMT enzyme​

​6-Methylmercaptopurine

6-Methylmercaptopurine riboside

6-Methylthioguanine riboside

Detection of individuals with low thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity who are at risk for excessive myelosuppression or severe hematopoietic toxicity when taking thiopurine drugs

Detection of individuals with hyperactive TPMT activity who have therapeutic resistance to thiopurine drugs and may develop hepatotoxicity if treated with these drugs

​Patient Preparation: 

Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) enzyme activity can be inhibited by several drugs and may contribute to falsely low results. Patients should abstain from the following drugs for at least 48 hours prior to TPMT testing: naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), ketoprofen (Orudis), furosemide (Lasix), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), mesalamine (Asacol), olsalazine (Dipentum), mefenamic aci​d (Ponstel), trimethoprim (Proloprim), methotrexate, thiazide diuretics, and benzoic acid inhibitors

Gross hemolysis

Falsely low results may occur as a result of inappropriate specimen handling and hemolysis.

Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia may have lower thiopurine methyltransferase activities before treatment and higher activities following treatment.

​Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency is a condition in which patients treated with standard doses of azathioprine (AZA, Imuran), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP, Purinethol), or 6-thioguanine (6-TG, Thioguanine Tabloid) may develop life-threatening myelosuppression or severe hematopoietic toxicity. The metabolic conversion of AZA, 6-MP, or 6-TG to purine nucleotides and the subsequent incorporation of these nucleotides into DNA play an important role in both the therapeutic efficacy and the toxicity of these drugs. A competitive catabolic route for the metabolism of thiopurines is catalyzed by the TPMT enzyme, which inactivates them by thiomethylation. A balance must be established between these competing metabolic pathways so that: 1) sufficient amounts of drug are converted to the nucleotide to act as an antimetabolite and 2) the antimetabolite levels do not become so high as to cause potentially lethal bone marrow suppression.

TPMT deficiency is an autosomal recessive condition with an incidence of approximately 1 in 300 individuals homozygous for deleterious variants in the TPMT gene; about 10% of the population are heterozygous carriers of TPMT variants. Adverse effects of AZA, 6-MP, or 6-TG administration can be observed in individuals who are either homozygous or heterozygous for TPMT deficiency.

TPMT hyperactivity is also a known phenotype. Individuals who are hypermetabolizers have therapeutic resistance to thiopurine drugs and therefore, cannot achieve therapeutic levels. If an individual with TPMT hyperactivity is treated with higher and higher doses of thiopurine drugs, they may develop severe hepatotoxi​city. Therefore, treatment with alternative medications is recommended for hypermetabolizers.

As such, knowing a patient's TPMT status prior to treatment with AZA, 6-MP, or 6-TG is important for purposes of calculating safe drug dosages for therapy.

3.00-6.66 nmol/mL/hour 6-Methylmercaptopurine (normal)

5.04-9.57 nmol/mL/hour 6-Methylmercaptopurine riboside (normal)

2.70-5.84 nmol/mL/hour 6-Methylthioguanine riboside (normal)

This assay is used to detect individuals with low and intermediate thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity who may be at risk for myelosuppression when exposed to standard doses of thiopurines, including azathioprine (Imuran), 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol), or 6-thioguanine (Thioguanine Tabloid). TPMT is the primary metabolic route for inactivation of thiopurine drugs in the bone marrow. When TPMT activity is low, it is predicted that proportionately more 6-mercaptopurine can be converted into the cytotoxic 6-thioguanine nucleotides that accumulate in the bone marrow causing excessive toxicity. This test can also detect TMPT hyperactivity. Individuals who are hypermetabolizers have therapeutic resistance to thiopurine drugs, and therefore they cannot achieve therapeutic levels. If an individual with TPMT hyperactivity is treated with higher and higher doses of thiopurine drugs, they may develop severe hepatotoxicity.

The activity of TPMT is measured by 3 different substrates. Reports include the quantitative activity level of TPMT for each of 3 different substrates and an interpretation of these results. When abnormal results are detected, a detailed interpretation is given, including an overview of results and suggestion as to whether patient has TPMT deficiency or hyperactivity, as well as discussion of treatment considerations.

TPMT phenotype testing does not replace the need for clinical monitoring of patients treated with thiopurine drugs. Genotype for TPMT cannot be inferred from TPMT activity (phenotype). Phenotype testing should not be requested for patients currently treated with thiopurine drugs.

TPMT activity is measured in red blood cells. If a patient has had a blood transfusion within 30 to 60 days of testing, the patient's true enzyme activity may not be accurately reflected.