Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025
Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
Published on: July 25, 2020
Pharmacogenetic testing-guided treatment for oncology: an overview of reviews
Danilo Vieira de Lara1, Daniela Oliveira de Melo2, Daniele Y Kawakami2
1Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM - Unifesp, São Paulo, 04044-020, Brazil.
Abstract:
Pharmacogenetics is the relationship between an individual's genetic variations and their response to pharmacological treatment. We conducted an overview of reviews on the use of post-treatment pharmacogenetic testing for oncology, based on clinically relevant gene-drug pairs. We conducted a search on Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library, from their inception to 18 June 2020. We selected six eligible systematic reviews. The most studied drug categories were estrogen agonists/antagonists and fluoropyrimidines associated with cytochrome P450 and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase genes (CYP2D6 and DPYD), but many studies were classified as being of critically low or low quality. There is a need for more high-quality primary studies and systematic reviews that assess the risk of bias, with consistent definitions of clinical outcomes to consider the benefits of pharmacogenetic testing for oncology.
Insights
Pharmacogenetic testing in oncology shows promise but requires more high-quality studies. Current evidence is limited by low-quality research, impacting the reliable assessment of gene-drug interactions for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
- Oncology
Background:
- Pharmacogenetics links genetic variations to drug response.
- Post-treatment pharmacogenetic testing is increasingly used in oncology.
- Evidence quality for gene-drug pairs in cancer treatment varies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overview existing systematic reviews on post-treatment pharmacogenetic testing in oncology.
- To identify clinically relevant gene-drug pairs and assess evidence quality.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic search of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to June 2020.
- Selected six eligible systematic reviews for analysis.
- Focused on gene-drug pairs relevant to oncology treatment.
Main Results:
- Estrogen agonists/antagonists and fluoropyrimidines with CYP2D6 and DPYD genes were most studied.
- Many included studies were of critically low or low quality.
- Significant heterogeneity in study quality and outcome definitions was observed.
Conclusions:
- High-quality primary studies and systematic reviews are needed.
- Improved risk of bias assessment and consistent clinical outcome definitions are crucial.
- Further research is necessary to establish the benefits of pharmacogenetic testing in oncology.
Related Concept Videos
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:21Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview
01:21Pharmacodynamics: Overview and Principles
Most drugs' effects result from their interactions with drug receptors or targets within the body. These interactions trigger specific responses at the cellular or systemic level. Drug receptors can be found on the surfaces of cells or...