According to research published in The Lancet Oncology, "Scientists
have developed a gene test which predicts how well chemotherapy will
work in cancer patients." In a study of "829 genes in breast cancer
cells," researchers "whittled down the possibilities to six genes
which had an impact on whether a drug worked." The study "showed that
these genes could be used to predict the effectiveness of a drug
called paclitaxel in patients."
Researchers found that "if any of the six genes are 'faulty,'
paclitaxel does not work and the tumor cells continue to divide
uncontrollably, just as they would without treatment," the UK's
Independent (3/1, Connor) reports.
The UK's Press Association (3/1) eports that lead researcher Dr Charles Swanton, from the
Cancer Research UK charity's London Research Institute, said that the
"research shows it is now possible to rapidly pinpoint genes which
prevent cancer cells from being destroyed by anti-cancer drugs and use
these same genes to predict which patients will benefit from specific
types of treatment." The UK's Telegraph (3/1) also covers the story.
For more information, go to - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8539502.stm |
