Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Multi-Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Detection in Gastric Cancer Based on Ion Semiconductor Sequencing Platform
06:21

Multi-Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Detection in Gastric Cancer Based on Ion Semiconductor Sequencing Platform

Published on: May 10, 2024

Pharmacogenetics of the neurodevelopmental impact of anticancer chemotherapy

Philippe Robaey1, Maja Krajinovic, Sophie Marcoux

  • 1Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec. philippe.robaey@umontreal.ca

Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews
|October 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pharmacogenetics can reduce neurodevelopmental harm in cancer patients. Gene variations influence risks from methotrexate and glucocorticoids, guiding personalized treatment and follow-up for better outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer treatments can cause neurodevelopmental issues in patients.
  • Individual patient factors, including genetics, influence treatment response and toxicity.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for mitigating long-term adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of pharmacogenetics in mitigating neurodevelopmental toxicity from cancer therapies.
  • To examine the impact of genetic polymorphisms on adverse outcomes associated with methotrexate and glucocorticoids.
  • To explore strategies for personalized treatment and patient management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on pharmacogenetics of methotrexate and glucocorticoids.
  • Analysis of gene polymorphisms involved in drug metabolism and action.
  • Discussion of common pathways like oxidative stress and a multiple hit model.

Main Results:

  • Genetic variations can moderate neurodevelopmental consequences of methotrexate and glucocorticoids.
  • Polymorphisms in relevant genes may influence susceptibility to neurotoxicity and developmental effects.
  • Oxidative stress is a potential common pathway for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Pharmacogenetics offers a promising approach to personalize cancer treatment and minimize neurodevelopmental risks.
  • Identifying at-risk patients through genetic screening enables tailored interventions and close monitoring.
  • An integrative research approach is needed to address the complexity of pharmacogenetic influences on neurodevelopment.

More Related Videos

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity07:42

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity

Published on: April 26, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu01:29

Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu

Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...
Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics: Overview01:29

Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics: Overview

Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics examine how genetic factors influence an individual's response to drugs. While pharmacogenetics focuses on the impact of specific genetic variants on drug effects, pharmacogenomics takes a broader approach, studying how genetic variation across populations contributes to differences in drug responses. These fields aim to explain why individuals may experience varying levels of efficacy or adverse reactions to the same medication.Variability in drug...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors01:24

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism: Overview01:27

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism: Overview

Genetic polymorphism in drug metabolism is crucial to the inter-individual variability observed in drug responses. Drug metabolism primarily involves the chemical modification of drugs and other xenobiotics to enhance their elimination by increasing their polarity. Two main classes of enzymes mediate this biotransformation process: Phase I enzymes, primarily cytochrome P450s, catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions, while other enzymes, such as esterases, mediate hydrolysis, and Phase II...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...