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Page 3
Cytochrome P450 enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of many steroids and hormones, as well as a large number of drugs. One of these enzymes (CYP17) synthesizes estrogen. A common SNP polymorphism results in an increased synthesis of estrogen, and an increased risk of endometrial cancer in women receiving estrogen replacement therapy. This polymorphism can also result in the overactivation of the anticancer drug, cyclophosphamide.
What does the future hold? A great deal of work needs to be done in order to fully characterize the polymorphisms that have relevance to cancer treatment. Researchers envision that patients will receive individualized treatment that is optimized for their cancer condition. The patients would be tested for their genetic constitution relative to the proposed treatment. This scenario would need to be preceded by clinical trials to determine whether this individualized treatment really benefits patients. References 1. Evans, W. and Relling, M. Pharmacogenomics: Translating Functional Genomics into Rational Therapeutics. Science, Vol. 286, pp. 487-491 (1999) 2. Krynetski, E. and Evans, W. Pharmacogenetics of Cancer Therapy: Getting Personal Am. J. Hum. Genet., Vol. 63, pp. 11-16 (1998) 3. Mendible, J. Pharmacogenomics: Medicines tailored just for you. Suite 101.com (Jan. 3, 2000) 4. Norton, R. Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Drug Therapy. Medscape Pharmacotherapy, 2001. Use Pharmacogenomics as the search term. 5. Relling, M. and Dervieux, T. Pharmacogenetics and Cancer Therapy. Nature Reviews Cancer, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 99-108 (2001)
The copyright of the article Pharmacogenetics and Cancer Therapy - Page 3 in Cancer Treatment is owned by . Permission to republish Pharmacogenetics and Cancer Therapy - Page 3 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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