The association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) variants and allopurinol-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) was evaluated through a pooled analysis of published studies.
A comprehensive search was performed in multiple databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, ISI Web of Knowledge, EMBASE, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, and Science Direct. Studies investigating the association between 
A total of 4 studies with 81 allopurinol-induced SJS or TEN cases and matched controls (allopurinol-tolerant patients) or population controls (general population) were identified. SJS and TEN were found to be significantly associated with HLA-A*33:03 and HLA-C*03:02 alleles in both groups of studies with matched controls and population controls. All of the pooled ORs were not significantly affected by the remaining studies and different modeling methods, indicating robust results.
A strong association was found between HLA-A*33:03 and HLA-C*03:02 alleles and allopurinol-induced SJS or TEN, especially in an Asian population.