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Fluorouracil

Home / Patients / Affected Drugs / Fluorouracil

AFFECTED DRUGS: FLUOROURACIL

DPYD Enzyme Deficiency Test for Fluorouracil

Fluorouracil

Plavix

Tamoxifen

Strattera

Warfarin

Additional Drugs

Fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most successful and widely used chemotherapy drugs. It is often used in the treatment of breast, colon, and skin cancer (three of the most frequently occurring cancers).

5-FU binds to an enzyme inside of cancer cells called thymidylate synthase and then exerts its anti-cancer effect on the cells.

In general, 5-FU is relatively well tolerated at standard doses. However, an estimated 3-5% of patients have a genetic variation that leads to a deficiency of an enzyme called dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) that is crucial for the metabolism and deactivation of 5-FU.[19] 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 for 5-FU Deficiency

Pharmacogenetic testing, specifically the DPYD (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 is accompanied by direct measurement of DPYD activity prior to 5-FU treatment in cancer patients. Although this test screens for the most frequent genetic variation that causes DPYD enzyme deficiency this does not rule out the possibility of a decrease in DPYD activity due to other factors or genetic variations.

Improve drug efficacy and start feeling better, faster

Genelex offers a simple, affordable DNA test and provides you with a report that you and your doctor can use to determine which drugs and doses are right for you.

Order Your Test

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