Genetic biomarker may predict nerve pain side effects

[Paul Edwards]

Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatment for prostate cancer. Patients who suffer from this condition have damage to their peripheral nerves and experience weakness, numbness and pain usually in their hands or feet and occasionally in other areas of the body.

 

Researchers at the Moffatt Cancer Center at Tampa, Florida have found that genetic alterations in the VAC14 gene are associated with an increased risk of docetaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in prostate cancer patients.

 

This discovery may help scientists to understand what causes docetaxel-induced neuropathy and to develop drugs that can reduce  peripheral neuropathy.