Scientists at Leiden University describe research in cancer therapy
2009 JUL 27 - (NewsRx.com) -- New investigation results, 'Explorative study to identify novel candidate genes related to oxaliplatin efficacy and toxicity using a DNA repair array,' are detailed in a study published in British Journal of Cancer. In this recently published article, scientists in Leiden, Netherlands conducted a study "To identify new polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) in DNA repair pathways that are associated with efficacy and toxicity in patients receiving oxaliplatin and capecitabine for advanced colorectal cancer (ACC). We studied progression-free survival (PFS) in 91 ACC patients, of whom germ-line DNA was isolated and genotyped using an Asper Biotech array." "Overall survival (OS) and toxicity were studied as secondary end points. A step-wise selection of SNPs was performed, involving univariate and multivariate log-rank tests and Cox regression analysis, with age and performance status as covariates. A total of 81 SNPs in 46 genes on the array were selected for further analysis, based on genotyping success rates and minor allele frequencies. After step-wise selection, we found that homozygosity for the ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene (ATM) rs1801516 or excision repair cross-complementing gene (ERCC5) rs1047768 SNPs was associated with shorter PFS; however there were no significant associations (p >0.01) with OS or toxicity. This is the first study describing the pathway gene approach for the selection of new candidate genes involved in oxaliplatin efficacy and toxicity," wrote D.M. Kweekel and colleagues, Leiden University. The researchers concluded: "The results suggest that the ATM and ERCC5 genes may be associated with oxaliplatin efficacy in ACC." Kweekel and colleagues published their study in British Journal of Cancer (Explorative study to identify novel candidate genes related to oxaliplatin efficacy and toxicity using a DNA repair array. British Journal of Cancer, 2009;101(2):357-62). For additional information, contact D.M. Kweekel, Leiden University Medical Center, Dept. of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden, Netherlands. The publisher's contact information for the British Journal of Cancer is: Nature Publishing Group, 345 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1707, USA. Keywords: Netherlands, Leiden, Cancer Therapy, Capecitabine, Colon Cancer, Colon Carcinoma, Colorectal, DNA Repair, DNA Research, Deoxyribonucleic Acid, Drug Development, Drugs, Eloxatin, Gastroenterology, Oncology, Oxaliplatin, Pharmaceuticals, Proteomics, Therapy, Third-Generation Platinum Derivative, Treatment. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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