Certain genes make for easier lung cancer chemo
Filed under: Drug, Chemotherapy, Lung Cancer, Research, Daily news
A new study shows certain genes may make some lung cancer patients more sensitive to chemotherapy. This is a good thing — increased sensitivity in this case means lower doses of drug therapy work as good or better than higher doses.
Researchers looked at more than 21,000 genes in cells common to non-small-cell lung cancer, the most common type of the disease. Of these genes, 87 came up with heightened sensitivity to the chemotherapy drug Taxol. To be exact, the genes were 1,000 times more sensitive when exposed to the drug for 48 hours.
Chemotherapy is a very blunt instrument, says one researcher. Locating genes that make chemotherapy drugs more potent at lower doses is a critical step toward tailoring treatment and minimizing side effects for patients.
Two other drugs — Navelbine and Gemzar — were tested on six of the Taxol-sensitive genes. The genes did not respond to these drugs.
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Original post by Jacki Donaldson
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Certain genes make for easier lung cancer chemo
Filed under: Drug, Chemotherapy, Lung Cancer, Research, Daily news
A new study shows certain genes may make some lung cancer patients more sensitive to chemotherapy. This is a good thing — increased sensitivity in this case means lower doses of drug therapy work as good or better than higher doses.
Researchers looked at more than 21,000 genes in cells common to non-small-cell lung cancer, the most common type of the disease. Of these genes, 87 came up with heightened sensitivity to the chemotherapy drug Taxol. To be exact, the genes were 1,000 times more sensitive when exposed to the drug for 48 hours.
Chemotherapy is a very blunt instrument, says one researcher. Locating genes that make chemotherapy drugs more potent at lower doses is a critical step toward tailoring treatment and minimizing side effects for patients.
Two other drugs — Navelbine and Gemzar — were tested on six of the Taxol-sensitive genes. The genes did not respond to these drugs.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Original post by Jacki Donaldson
No comments yet. Be the first.
Leave a reply