Knowing in advance how 5-FU–related therapy may affect you is key to an effective management plan...
Especially because some people may be at high risk for side effects
For many people like you, 5-FU–related therapy may be the treatment option your doctor is considering. However, before the choice is made, your doctor may recommend a test that can help determine whether this management is right for you, and evaluate what your risk for serious side effects may be. This is essential because your ability to tolerate the therapy can influence your medical management.
Introducing TheraGuide 5-FU™
Now there is a simple blood test that can help your doctor in his or her selection and use of 5-FU–related therapy. It tests for variations in 2 genes (DPYD and TYMS) that play a major role in how your body will react to this type of chemotherapy.1-5
About 1 in 4 people will have one of these genetic variations. These individuals have up to a 60% risk of having a serious reaction to 5-FU–related chemotherapy.
If you have these variations in your DPYD and/or TYMS genes, your doctor will take great care to make sure you receive the appropriate medical management and monitoring that is right for you.
References: 1. Morel A, Boisdron-Celle M, Fey L, et al. Clinical relevance of different dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene single nucleotide polymorphisms on 5-fluorouracil tolerance. Mol Cancer Ther. 2006;5:2895-2904. 2. Lecomte T, Ferraz J-M, Zinzindohoué F, et al. Thymidylate synthase gene polymorphism predicts toxicity in colorectal cancer patients receiving 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. Clin Cancer Res. 2004;10:5880-5888. 3. Pullarkat ST, Stoehlmacher J, Ghaderi V, et al. Thymidylate synthase gene polymorphism determines response and toxicity of 5-FU chemotherapy. Pharmacogenomics J. 2001;1:65-70. 4. Ichikawa W, Takahashi T, Suto K, et al. Orotate phosphoribosyltransferase gene polymorphism predicts toxicity in patients treated with bolus 5-fluorouracil regimen. Clin Cancer Res. 2006;12:3928-3934. 5. Schwab M, et al. Role of genetic and non-genetic factors for fluorouracil treatment related severe toxicity; a prospective clinical trial by the German 5-FU toxicity study group. J Clin Oncol, 2008.
