The Prediction of Radiotherapy Toxicity Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism−Based Models: A Step Toward Prevention

Radiotherapy is a mainstay of cancer treatment, used in either a curative or palliative manner to treat approximately 50% of patients with cancer. Normal tissue toxicity limits the doses used in standard radiation therapy protocols and impedes improvements in radiotherapy efficacy. Damage to surrounding normal tissues can produce reactions ranging from bothersome symptoms that negatively affect quality of life to severe life-threatening complications. Improved ways of predicting, before treatment, the risk for development of normal tissue toxicity may allow for more personalized treatment and reduce the incidence and severity of late effects.

Source: Seminars in Radiation Oncology - September 15, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Sarah L. Kerns, Suman Kundu, Jung Hun Oh, Sandeep K. Singhal, Michelle Janelsins, Lois B. Travis, Joseph O. Deasy, A. Cecile J.E. Janssens, Harry Ostrer, Matthew Parliament, Nawaid Usmani, Barry S. Rosenstein Source Type: research