Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the effects of chemotherapy on normal blood cells. A study published in Nature Genetics found new patterns of DNA damage, or mutational signatures, associated with specific chemotherapy drugs. The findings could guide patient treatment with effective chemotherapies that minimize harm to healthy tissues.
The researchers analyzed blood cell genomes from 23 patients who had been treated with various chemotherapies for different types of cancer. They identified four new mutational signatures found in chemotherapy-treated patients. For example, some platinum agents caused high numbers of mutations, while others did not. The study also investigated the effects of chemotherapy on hematopoietic stem cells, which produce blood.
The results showed that many classes of chemotherapeutics produce higher numbers of mutations in normal blood cells. However, this was not seen with all chemotherapies. The study’s findings could help optimize patient treatment plans to deliver effective chemotherapies with fewer side effects.
“This study lays the groundwork for future research into the effects of chemotherapy on many other tissues,” said Emily Mitchell, PhD, a clinician at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and first author of the study. “It will reveal the full range of effects of different chemotherapies and help us to optimize patient health in the long term.”
Source: https://www.genengnews.com/topics/cancer/genetic-effects-of-chemotherapy-revealed-to-guide-cancer-treatment