New Test Predicts Chemotherapy Resistance in Cancer Patients

Chemotherapy is a standard cancer treatment, but it doesn't work for all patients. Between 20-50% of cancer patients don't respond to these drugs, leading to unnecessary side effects. Geoff Macintyre and his team, along with partners, have developed a method to predict chemotherapy resistance in patients.

The method turns conventional chemotherapies into precision medicines by identifying biomarkers for patient stratification. These biomarkers help detect patients who won't respond to treatments, reducing unnecessary side effects and costs.

The team's genomic test quantifies biomarkers for targeted chemotherapy use, benefiting many cancer patients annually. The method is based on identifying chromosome changes in tumors, allowing for personalized treatment plans.

Validated with data from over 800 patients, the biomarkers have shown efficacy in predicting resistance to platinum compounds, taxanes, and anthracyclines. Further tests are being developed for targeted therapies, expanding the technology's applications.

Funding from various sources is supporting the validation of this technology in a hospital setting. The goal is to integrate the technology into clinical trials by 2026, demonstrating its readiness for widespread use.

This study showcases the potential of precision medicine in cancer treatment, offering hope for more effective and personalized therapies in the future.

According to the source: News-Medical.