What is DPYD testing
DPYD testing refers to genetic testing that identifies variations in the Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase (DPYD) gene. This gene encodes an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of fluoropyrimidine-based medications, such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) a common chemotherapeutic drug. Variations in DPYD can lead to reduced enzyme activity, resulting in increased toxicity and adverse reactions to fluoropyrimidine drugs. By identifying these individuals, healthcare providers can take precautions and choose alternative treatment options to minimize the risk of severe side effects during an individual’s cancer treatment.
Benefits of DPYD testing
- Avoidance of Severe Side Effects and better patient outcomes: These side effects may include severe myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression), neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and hand-foot syndrome. DPYD testing helps in identifying patients at risk and enables healthcare providers to select alternative treatment options to minimize the risk of such side effects.
- Cost Savings: DPYD testing can potentially result in cost savings for both patients and healthcare systems. By identifying patients who are likely to experience severe toxicities, unnecessary treatment-related hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and additional medical interventions can be avoided.
Current international guidelines suggest an international rate of 3-5% of individuals carry a mutation In the DPYD gene. In a 2019 study M.Z Zameer from Cork university hospital found a higher-than-expected prevalence of DPYD variants of 12.2% in Ireland suggesting an even greater need for testing here in Ireland. Additionally, Murphy et al. from UCC highlighted the cost implications of DPYD testing and found that the cost of hospitalization for the DPYD-mutated patients was 9 times greater when compared to testing patients for DPYD mutations.
MSC has partnered with world leaders in the development, production and commercialisation of pharmacogenetic tests for cancer precision medicine. Precision medicine is an approach to healthcare that tailors medical treatments and interventions to the specific characteristics of each patient. It takes into account an individual’s genetic makeup and other relevant factors to optimize diagnosis, and treatment strategies. With improvements in cancer diagnosis and cancer treatments including Chemotherapeutics and Immunotherapeutics comes an unprecedented opportunity to tailor individuals cancer treatments
If your laboratory is interested in prospective DPYD testing, then look no further. MSC offers a range of in vitro diagnostic solutions with the most comprehensive portfolio of assays for molecular oncology.
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