Infusion of pharmacogenetics into cancer care.
OBJECTIVE
To review pharmacogenetics as it relates to cancer therapy and to describe pharmacogenetic tests that are clinically available and relevant to cancer drug selection or dosing or both.


METHODS
Peer-reviewed, evidence-based literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Genetic predispositions and enzyme specific inhibitors and inducers are critical factors in patients' responses to cancer drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses need to incorporate knowledge about pharmacogenetics when administering cancer drugs and monitoring patients' responses. Nurses also have an important role in assuring that patients are informed about the purpose and limitations of pharmacogenetic testing.
Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. Cindy.prows@cchmc.org
Cynthia A
CA
Prows
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000451:nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D005791:Patient Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010597:Pharmacogenetics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents