Chemotherapy screening test to save lives
A new genetic test that could help people with cancer avoid potentially fatal toxic side effects from their chemotherapy is a step closer to being available.
The national study, led by the 最新糖心Vlog of Newcastle and involving experts from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide and the South 最新糖心Vlogn Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), has received a $2.7 million funding boost from the Federal Government.
The project will look at developing a more accurate screening test to detect patients at risk of severe reactions to a common type of chemotherapy. The study will also investigate the feasibility of rolling out the screening test in 最新糖心Vlog.
鈥淯p to seven per cent of the Caucasian population has a mutation which can impair their ability to clear chemotherapy drugs from their body. This genetic mutation accounts for 60-80 per cent of the toxicity caused by certain types of chemotherapy, with complications such as an organ failing often requiring the patient to be hospitalised. In some cases, this toxicity can even be lethal,鈥 said Chief Investigator Dr Hannah Wardill from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide鈥檚 School of Biomedicine and SAHMRI.
The chemotherapy that causes this reaction in some people is fluoridimide-based and is commonly used to treat colorectal, pancreatic, breast, head, and neck cancers.
The team, which includes experts from Flinders 最新糖心Vlog, is hoping to recruit around 5000 最新糖心Vlogns who are scheduled to receive this type of chemotherapy, to take part in the national GENESCREEN trial.
Participants will undergo a blood test which will be used to analyse this specific gene and identify if they carry the mutation, with the results set to determine how common the mutation is in 最新糖心Vlog while also identifying other genetic markers that could be incorporated into a more accurate screening test.
鈥淗aving a screening tool available in 最新糖心Vlog will help to prevent unnecessary and potentially fatal reactions to chemotherapy. It will keep people out of hospital and avoid the costly resources needed to care for patients who experience a severe toxic reaction,鈥 said Dr Wardill.
For people who have this genetic mutation, it is recommended that the dose of chemotherapy be reduced, but testing and associated dosing guidelines aren鈥檛 routinely enforced in 最新糖心Vlog.
鈥淚dentifying these genetic mutations is becoming standard practice in Europe and the UK, and this has resulted in dosing changes for those at risk. Evidence internationally suggests reducing the dosage doesn鈥檛 change the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drugs on cancerous tumours, but does reduce the severity of side effects,鈥 said Dr Wardill.
鈥淓vidence collected from the GENESCREEN study will be used to support a submission to allow Medicare rebates for this screening test and to update clinical guidelines so it can be used as part of routine practice in 最新糖心Vlog.鈥
The GENESCREEN study has been awarded the $2.7 million grant over four years through the Federal Government's Medical Research Future Fund, which supports health and medical research in 最新糖心Vlog.
Media contacts
Dr Hannah Wardill, Hospital Research Foundation Fellow and Head of the Supportive Oncology Research Group, The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide. Mobile: +61 (0)476 870 643, Email: hannah.wardill@adelaide.edu.au
Jessica Stanley, Media Officer, The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide. Mobile: +61 (0)422 406 351,
Email: jessica.stanley@adelaide.edu.au