The ability to modify chemotherapy treatment could have a major impact on both the physical and psychological well-being of patients. Now, researchers can predict which patients are most likely to suffer serious side effects of chemotherapy, according to a recent study on the effect of genetic variability on the toxicity of chemotherapy in breast cancer.
Dr Christof Vulsteke, from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and his team examined germline DNA from blood samples from 1089 breast cancer patients. Between 2000 and 2010, these breast cancer patients were treated with 3 commonly used chemotherapy drugs (fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide). For each patient, researchers studied the variability in the genes that are important for metabolizing these 3 chemotherapeutic drugs. The genes were then compared with the side effects patients experienced.
“We found that genetic variation in one gene was highly correlated with chemotherapy side effects,” says Vulsteke. “Investigating this gene before starting chemotherapy would allow us to support the patient with either growth factors to increase the patient’s immunity, or dose modifications, or a different chemotherapy regimen better adapted to the patient, or a combination of these.”
“Our research has brought us one step closer towards prescribing personalized chemotherapy treatment with a minimum of side effects,” says Vulsteke.
In the future, data from other European countries will be examined to further validate these results. Vulsteke and his team will also follow up on their own patients.
“In 2016 we will have a very accurate assessment of the impact of genetic variation on breast cancer survival and recurrence,” says Vulsteke.
Professor David Cameron, from the University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, UK), and Chair of EBCC-8 said, “In the search for ways to ‘personalize’ anti-cancer treatments, much of the focus has been on matching the treatment to the cancer. However it should not be forgotten that we also need to ensure the treatment is ‘matched’ to the patient, and this study is an important step in this direction, potentially allowing us to ensure that standard chemotherapy can be delivered with either less severe toxicity, or perhaps to have the dose adjusted to give maximal benefit.”
Source: ECCO.