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In partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA), the province is initiating a genome testing program for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatment.
Genotyping identifies genetic variants in the DPYD gene, which impacts the production of the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme.
“Screening for these genetic variants can help improve treatment outcomes for Saskatchewan cancer patients,” said Health Minister Everett Hindley in a statement Tuesday.
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Before the initiative, DPYD testing for Saskatchewan patients was done in the United States, with a turnaround of two weeks. Now, patients eligible for treatment with fluoropyrimidine-based drugs facing severe or life-threatening side effects can have DPYD genotyping done before they start their treatment at the Royal University Hospital Pharmacogenomic Lab in Saskatoon, resulting in a wait of two to seven days.
“Fluoropyrimidine based chemotherapy drugs are commonly used to treat multiple cancers, and DPD enzyme deficiency can lead to severe life-threatening toxicities in some patients,” Dr. Shazia Mahmood, SCA’s vice-president of medical services, said in Tuesday’s statement. “The Cancer Agency is pleased this testing will be offered to patients who are at risk in our ongoing efforts to ensure patient safety.”
A statement from the province says the lab expects to test approximately 1,000 patients annually.
“Conducting rapid testing for DPD enzyme deficiencies right here in Saskatchewan helps our teams provide safer and more effective care as quickly as possible for cancer patients across the province, by appropriately adjusting their care plans before they receive treatment,” said SHA provincial clinical and support services vice-president Bryan Witt in the statement.
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