Gene Variations that Predict Chemo Side Effects

Seemingly benign differences in genetic code from one person to the next could influence who develops side effects to chemotherapy. A Mayo Clinic study identified gene variations that can predispose people to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, a condition that is hard to predict and often debilitating enough to cause cancer patients to stop their treatment early.

Oncologist at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and senior author of the study, Andreas Beutler, M.D., says, “Our study creates a path for how to approach the whole genome in order to tailor cancer treatments. That is important because we not only want to cure people’s cancer or help them live longer, but we also want to provide them with the best quality of life.” Results are being presented at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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