Genes Linked to Chemo Side Effects

U.S. researchers say inherited gene variations make some children with leukemia more susceptible to the toxic side effects of chemotherapy.

Investigators at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital found that the variations, called polymorphisms, occur in specific genes known to influence the way drugs work in the body, the hospital said Friday in a news release.

Side effects in acute lymphoblastic leukemia can be life-threatening and interrupt delivery of treatment, increasing the risk of relapse, the report said.

St. Jude said the findings could help individualize chemotherapy according to a patient’s inherited tendencies to develop toxic reactions to specific drugs.