DPD Enzyme Deficiency Test for Fluorouracil (5-FU)
Is your physician thinking of prescribing Fluorouracil (5-FU)?
Are you concerned about drug safety?
Fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most successful and widely
used chemotherapy drugs. It is often used in the treatment for
breast, colon, and skin cancer (three of the most frequently
occurring cancers).
5-FU binds to an enzyme inside of cancer cells called Thymidilate
Synthetase, and then exerts its anti cancer effect on the cells.
In general, 5-FU is relatively well tolerated at standard doses
However, an estimated 3-8% of patients have a genetic variation
that leads to a deficiency of an enzyme called Dihydropyrimidine
dehydrogenase (DPD) that is crucial for the metabolism and deactivation
of 5-FU. Patients with this variation have severe toxic reactions
that may be fatal with even small doses and often the very first
dose of 5-FU.
Who Should Be Tested
The DPD test for 5-FU is considered appropriate for any person
who is taking or considering 5-FU based chemotherapy.
It is recommended that this screening be accompanied by direct
measurement of DPD activity prior to 5-FU treatment in cancer
patients. Although this test looks for the most frequent genetic
variation that causes DPD enzyme deficiency this does not rule
out the possibility of a decrease in DPD activity due to other
factors or genetic variations.
The Testing Process
The process is simple. We send a blood or cheek swab collection
kit in the mail, and you return samples to our laboratory by
overnight courier. Results are typically available within 5 business
days.
Ordering Tests
Call Genelex today at 800-523-3080 or order on-line.
