The Next Step in Cancer Treatment

 Chemotherapy is a common course of treatment for people diagnosed with cancer, and it is known to have intense side effects. Chemotoxicity occurs when DNA changes, or genetic factors react with the medications within treatment, and cause life threatening issues like gastrointestinal toxicity, and hand-foot syndrome. Roughly 3% of people who use fluorouracil in their treatments, experience chemotoxicity and 1,300 people annually have fatal reactions to it. So what can we do to prevent this?

Drug-Gene Testing is the answer. Multi-gene testing can analyze the reactions a person may have to chemotherapy based on their genetics. DPYD variants can be a lead cause to chemotoxicity, as it's enzyme, DPD is responsible for metabolizing chemotherapy medications. A deficiency in DPD can be fatal for patients, roughly 39-61% of people experiencing toxicity are deficient. 3-8% of the general population has a DPYD variant causing DPD deficiency. Drug-gene testing can detect these genetic variations and other medical interactions which can save the lives of people who are already fighting to survive. It is important to advocate for more of these tests to be done before treatment. 

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More on Chemotoxicity

Modern Drug helps Improve and Restore Neuron Function for Those Affected by Timothy Syndrome

A developing drug has shown promising improvements with restoring effective function to neurons affected/impaired by Timothy Syndrome, also known as Long QT syndrome Type 8. This syndrome caused by a single gene mutation is responsible for impairment across multiple body functions, notably that of the heart and brain. Neurons impaired by the disorder were restored by the introduction of this new drug class, being a Antisense Oligonucleotides, These medications specifically target the expression of certain genetic disorders by modifying RNA transcripts, and effective restoration of neuron function is just one of many potential uses this drug could employ. 

This drug class is incredibly promising as we scientifically discover more and more about the genetic expression and major roles regarding RNA. By studying many single-gene mutation caused disorders, modifying these drugs to specifically adapt and counteract the RNA related expression of these ailments becomes a real possibility and something to learn an incredible

amount from. 

Links:

https://techfinder.stanford.edu/technology/treatment-timothy-syndrome-using-antisense-oligonucleotide#:~:text=Scientists%20showed%20that%20this%20candidate,the%20treatment%20of%20Timothy%20syndrome.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/04/30/1247900797/timothy-syndrome-genetic-disorder-brain-cells-restored

https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-023-00419-1

New Urine Testing Technique Used to Detect Previously Undetected 'Designer Drug"

Researchers from the University of British Columbia have developed a more efficient method for identifying emerging "designer drugs" in the community. Their study demonstrates the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze urine samples, revealing molecules from new designer drugs missed by conventional tests. This approach enhances public health and safety by swiftly identifying substances, potentially saving lives, and guiding clinical responses to drug-related emergencies. Designer drugs, unregulated and modified versions of existing substances, pose health risks and have proliferated in the market. The study reanalyzed urine samples collected in British Columbia from 2019 to 2022, using mass spectrometry to detect new drugs. This retrospective analysis uncovered synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants that initial screening had missed, highlighting the potential of the method to rapidly respond to emerging drugs in the community. This discovery will be crucial for identifying new drugs popping up on the street, allowing healthcare officials to treat patients effectively. With drug addiction on the rise in America, this discovery will aid in decreasing overdose, and saving lives.

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