Impact of CYP2C19 Genotype on Efficacy and Safety of Clopidogrel-based Antiplatelet Therapy in Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Patients: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Non-East Asian Studies

Purpose: Inconclusive and limited results have been reported on the clinical utility of CYP2C19 genotyping in stroke/TIA patients of non-East Asian ancestries. We herein performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively estimate the association of CYP2C19 loss-of function (LOF) status with efficacy and safety of clopidogrel-based antiplatelet therapy in non-East Asian patients affected by stroke or TIA. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed up to July 2023 using PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Cochrane Library databases. The clinical outcomes investigated were stroke, composite vascular events and bleeding. Pooled estimates were calculated as risk ratios (RR) with 95% CI using the Mantel– Haenszel random-effects model. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADEpro tool. Results: A total number of 1673 stroke/TIA patients from 8 non-East Asian studies, published between 2014 and 2022, were included in the systematic review. Clopidogrel-treated carriers of CYP2C19 LOF alleles were found at increased risk of stroke compared to non-carriers (RR: 1.68, 95%CI: 1.04–2.71, P = 0.03). However, no significant association was observed with the risk of composite vascular events (RR: 1.15, 95%CI: 0.58–2.28, P = 0.69) or bleeding (RR: 0.84, 95%CI: 0.38–1.86, P = 0.67). Similarly, European ancestry patients carrying CYP2C19 LOF alleles displayed a higher risk of stroke (RR: 2.69 (1.11–6.51, P = 0.03), but not of composite vascular events or bleeding. Conclusion: The present updated meta-analysis provides moderate quality evidence of association between CYP2C19 LOF alleles and an increased risk of stroke in non-East Asian patients with stroke/TIA after receiving clopidogrel therapy. Further large pharmacogenetic studies are still warranted to corroborate these findings.