Newswise — Philadelphia, 24th February 2024 – A groundbreaking pharmacogenetic tool has been developed and validated to predict chemotherapy side effects based on a patient’s genetic profile. This innovative platform, tested in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), could revolutionize cancer treatment and extend beyond oncology, allowing anyone to assess their genetic predisposition to chemotherapy-related toxicity before ever developing cancer.
Published in Genes, the study introduces the ANTIBLASTIC DRUG MULTIPANEL PLATFORM, a patented tool designed to personalize chemotherapy by helping physicians weigh treatment benefits and risks in a precise, patient-specific manner.
A Game-Changer in Personalized Therapy
Oncological treatments are often selected based on clinical guidelines that do not account for individual genetic differences, leading to unexpected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that can compromise treatment success and patient well-being.
"Our model represents an important step forward in precision oncology," explains Dr. Concetta Cafiero, lead author of the study. "By predicting how a patient will respond to chemotherapy before treatment even starts, we can help oncologists select the safest and most effective option for each individual."
Beyond Cancer: A Tool for Proactive Healthcare
Although initially validated in NSCLC patients, this tool is designed to analyze genetic susceptibility to chemotherapy toxicity in any patient—whether they have cancer or not. It offers a proactive approach to healthcare, enabling individuals to understand their genetic risk profile before ever needing treatment.
Using a dataset of 326 genetic variants (SNPs) associated with chemotherapy response, the research team applied a bioinformatics-based analysis to categorize patients into five genetic clusters. This classification successfully predicted ADR risk, allowing for a more balanced, personalized treatment strategy.
A Collaborative Effort Across Leading Institutions
The project was initiated at ASL Taranto by Dr. Concetta Cafiero, Prof. Raffaele Palmirotta, and Prof. Salvatore Pisconti, who led the initial development of the predictive platform. The bioinformatics analysis was then further refined in collaboration with the IRCCS Gemelli Hospital in Rome, with Dr. Luciano Giacò playing a key role in the computational and bioinformatics development of the model.
The global development and supervision of the project were conducted by the Sbarro Health Research Organization at Temple University in Philadelphia, USA, under the leadership of Professor Antonio Giordano and Dr. Canio Martinelli, ensuring the model met the highest standards of scientific rigor and clinical applicability.
Clinical Validation and Future Applications
The study, conducted at SG Moscati Hospital in Italy lead by Prof. Salvatore Pisconti, involved 70 NSCLC patients who were monitored for chemotherapy side effects. Results confirmed the high predictive value of the platform, suggesting its future integration into routine oncology care.
"With further validation, this tool could become a critical component of personalized medicine," say Prof. Raffaele Palmirotta together with Prof. Salvatore Pisconti, Italian oncologists on the project. "Oncologists will be able to tailor treatments with unprecedented accuracy, reducing toxicity while maximizing therapeutic benefits."
A Personalized Future for Cancer Therapy
This predictive model has broad potential applications, extending beyond lung cancer to other tumor types and medical conditions requiring chemotherapy. As modern medicine moves toward a more data-driven, individualized approach, tools like this will help clinicians determine the best treatment strategy by balancing benefits and harms in the most precise way possible.
The research team is now working on expanding the study with larger patient groups and developing a user-friendly mobile app to integrate the tool into clinical practice seamlessly.
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