To date, four therapeutic agents have been approved for the management of SCD; L-glutamine, crizanlizumab, voxelotor, and hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea was first approved for use in SCD in 1998 [1]. Although the mode of action of hydroxyurea has not been completely elucidated, hydroxyurea induces gamma-globin expression that leads to increase HbF [2, 3]. The proposed mechanism underlying this effect is the inactivation by hydroxyurea of the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase [4] leading to the induction of stress erythropoiesis[5], which favours an increased production of F cells over red blood cells with haemoglobin S. Hydroxyurea stands out from the rest of the therapeutic agents that induce HbF due to its unique features such as easy oral administration and low toxicity [1].
Multiple hydroxyurea benefits are linked to the augmentation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels, which impedes the polymerization of abnormal hemoglobin S, resulting in a reduction in painful episodes, hospitalization rates, acute chest syndrome occurrences, blood transfusion requirements, and mortality in SCD [6]. Hydroxyurea treatment is additionally associated with increased hemoglobin levels and mean red cell volume of red blood cells (RBCs), as well as decreased counts of white blood cells, platelets, and reticulocytes [7, 8].
To date, many SCD patients have received hydroxyurea treatment, and those who have responded well have experienced a major improvement in their quality of life. However, up to 30% of these are unfortunate, However, up to 30% of these are unfortunate because this intervention does not work for them [9, 10]. Non-compliance to treatment, individual variability and genetic factors in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients have been associated with the lack of response to hydroxyurea [9]. Individual variability has been associated with variations in drug metabolism and clearance rates, differences in drug absorption and distribution within the body as well as variations in target receptor expression or sensitivity. On the other hand, genetic factors that influence with HU response are believed to be those associated with HbF induction and HU metabolism [5, 11]. Consequently, individuals with high levels of HbF prior to HU initiation are known to respond better to HU treatment than those with low levels [5]. Variations in HbF levels in both individuals with and without SCD have been associated with polymorphisms within the β-globin gene (HBB) and the genes coding for BCL11A, MYB, HBG, KLF1, GATA1 and LDB1 [12, 13]. As a result, these variants are also potential targets for pharmacogenomic approaches to predict response to HU.
Pharmacogenomic studies (aimed at identifying genes associated with a drug response) have proven important especially in i) improving drug efficacy and safety, ii) identifying serious side effects, iii) predicting drug efficacy and enhancing genomic medicine. This field is also regarded as an innovative approach with a great potential of improving medicine both in developed and developing countries [14]. Pharmacogenomics tests are now implemented as part of clinical practice and in 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released guidelines for this [15]. Although pharmacogenomics studies are increasingly common in high-income countries (HICs), their adoption and application in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have been relatively limited[16]. The situation is the same for pharmacogenomics studies for SCD treatments such as HU. This research gap is particularly significant in Africa due to the high prevalence and burden of sickle cell disease (SCD). It is crucial to promptly address this disparity in order to bridge the gap in pharmacogenomics studies and improve healthcare outcomes for individuals with SCD in Africa. This study aimed at reducing this disparity by outlining the methodology employed in a study on hydroxyurea pharmacogenomics conducted in Tanzania. Specifically, we describe the processes involved in the design and implementation of Illumina's custom AmpliSeq™ next-generation sequencing panel, which focused on genes associated with hydroxyurea metabolism and HbF induction.