We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
THE LEE COMPANY

Download Mobile App




Genetic Test Predicts Whether Bowel Cancer Patients Can Benefit From Chemotherapy

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 Mar 2023
Print article
Image: A genetic test could guide the use of cancer chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Pexels)
Image: A genetic test could guide the use of cancer chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Late-stage bowel cancer patients usually undergo a series of chemotherapies and targeted medicines for cancer treatment. However, the responses to the last-line chemotherapy treatment trifluridine/tipiracil differ significantly amongst them, with some experiencing good, long-term responses but others receiving no benefits as their cancers become resistant to each treatment. Now, researchers have discovered that a genetic test, an established part of standard care in the UK and globally to predict patients' responses to other targeted cancer drugs, can also predict whether chemotherapy will work for bowel cancer patients. This discovery could aid in sparing patients from unnecessary toxicity and debilitating side effects by avoiding treatments that will not benefit them.

A team of researchers, including investigators from Imperial College London (London, UK), has discovered that a particular mutation - referred to as KRASG12 - in the KRAS gene is linked to a lower survival rate in treated patients. On the other hand, another mutation was found to be associated with a three-fold increase in survival. The study's results suggest that patients with KRASG12 mutations - constituting nearly 28% of all bowel cancer patients - gain no benefit from trifluridine/tipiracil and should consider partaking in clinical trials rather than enduring unnecessary toxicity. Conversely, patients without KRAS mutations may benefit from trifluridine/tipiracil, while those with a KRASG13 mutation are likely to respond well to treatment.

As part of standard NHS care, patients with advanced bowel cancer are already given gene tests to search for mutations in KRAS and identify those who can benefit from a targeted medicine called cetuximab. Doctors can now use the same test right away to commence treatment with trifluridine/tipiracil based on this evidence. The researchers have asked regulators to quickly incorporate the findings into guidelines which would make it standard to use the test for directing treatment with trifluridine/tipiracil.

“This is the first time we have a genomic marker already used in the clinic that can tell us whether a patient’s cancer will be sensitive or resistant to chemotherapy. We hope doctors will use this data to improve care for patients with advanced bowel cancer without delay,” said Professor Nicola Valeri, Honorary Professor of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Imperial College London and the ICR. “It will be difficult for some patients to find out that this last-line drug will not benefit them, but this test will mean they are able to avoid unnecessary side effects and have a better quality of life with advanced cancer. Fortunately, our findings also reveal a group of patients who see substantial benefits from taking this type of chemotherapy.”

Related Links:
Imperial College London

Platinum Supplier
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA
Gold Supplier
Melanoma Panel
UltraSEEK Melanoma Panel
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Virus/Pathogen Kits
QIAsymphony DSP

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: A module with eight micro-devices, complete with microfluidic channels and drive motors (Photo courtesy of U.S Department of Energy)

Highly Sensitive pH Sensor to Aid Detection of Cancers and Vector-Borne Viruses

Understanding the acidity or alkalinity of substances through pH measurement is crucial in many fields, from environmental monitoring to healthcare product safety. In many cases, these measurements must... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The PrismRA blood test helps target best treatments for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (Photo courtesy of Scipher Medicine)

Groundbreaking Rheumatoid Arthritis Blood Test Predicts Treatment Response

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease affecting joints and other systems in the body, impacts millions globally. Typically, the initial biologic treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs from... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The QScout hematology analyzer has received US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

First Rapid-Result Hematology Analyzer Reports Measures of Infection and Severity at POC

Sepsis, a critical medical condition that arises as an extreme response to infection, poses a significant health threat. It occurs when an infection triggers a widespread inflammatory response in the body.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Current testing methods for antibiotic susceptibility rely on growing bacterial colonies in the presence of antibiotics (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Returns Results within 30 Minutes

In 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was responsible for the deaths of approximately 1.3 million individuals. The conventional approach for testing antimicrobial susceptibility involves cultivating... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: AI methods used in satellite imaging can help researchers analyze tumor images (Photo courtesy of Karolinska Institutet)

AI Approach Combines Satellite Imaging and Ecology Techniques for Analysis of Tumor Tissue

Advancements in tumor imaging technology have significantly enhanced our ability to observe the minute details of tumors, but this also brings the challenge of interpreting vast amounts of data generated... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The acquisition significantly expands Medix Biochemica’s portfolio of IVD raw materials (Photo courtesy of ViroStat)

Medix Biochemica Acquires US-Based ViroStat to Expand Infectious Diseases Antibody Offering

Medix Biochemica (Espoo, Finland), a supplier of critical raw materials to the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, has acquired ViroStat LLC (Portland, ME, USA), a provider of infectious disease antibodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.