HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - COMT genotype associated with treatment related cognitive deficits (chemobrain)!

Lani · 03-21-2011, 09:19 AM

Seems a simple saliva test can tell whether one has the Val gene variation associated with chemobrain development

Might help those deciding whether or not to have chemo when benefit questionable

Hopefully in the future they might be able to tell which chemoagents cause/do not cause specific chemobrain associated with specific gene variations of COMT

ABSTRACT: Catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype modulates cancer treatment-related cognitive deficits in breast cancer survivors
[Cancer]

Background: Recent attention has focused on the negative effects of chemotherapy on the cognitive performance of cancer survivors. The current study examined modification of this risk by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype based on evidence in adult populations that the presence of a Val allele is associated with poorer cognitive performance.

Methods: Breast cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy (n = 58), and/or chemotherapy (n = 72), and 204 healthy controls (HCs) completed tests of cognitive performance and provided saliva for COMT genotyping. COMT genotype was divided into Val carriers (Val+; Val/Val, Val/Met) or COMT-Met homozygote carriers (Met; Met/Met).

Results: COMT-Val+ carriers performed more poorly on tests of attention, verbal fluency, and motor speed relative to COMT-Met homozygotes. Moreover, COMT-Val+ carriers treated with chemotherapy performed more poorly on tests of attention relative to HC group members who were also Val+ carriers.

Conclusions: The results suggest that persons treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer who also possess the COMT-Val gene are susceptible to negative effects on their cognitive health. This research is important because it strives to understand the factors that predispose some cancer survivors to more negative quality-of-life outcomes.

03-21-2011, 09:19 AM	#1
Lani Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,778	COMT genotype associated with treatment related cognitive deficits (chemobrain)! Seems a simple saliva test can tell whether one has the Val gene variation associated with chemobrain development Might help those deciding whether or not to have chemo when benefit questionable Hopefully in the future they might be able to tell which chemoagents cause/do not cause specific chemobrain associated with specific gene variations of COMT ABSTRACT: Catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype modulates cancer treatment-related cognitive deficits in breast cancer survivors [Cancer] Background: Recent attention has focused on the negative effects of chemotherapy on the cognitive performance of cancer survivors. The current study examined modification of this risk by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype based on evidence in adult populations that the presence of a Val allele is associated with poorer cognitive performance. Methods: Breast cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy (n = 58), and/or chemotherapy (n = 72), and 204 healthy controls (HCs) completed tests of cognitive performance and provided saliva for COMT genotyping. COMT genotype was divided into Val carriers (Val+; Val/Val, Val/Met) or COMT-Met homozygote carriers (Met; Met/Met). Results: COMT-Val+ carriers performed more poorly on tests of attention, verbal fluency, and motor speed relative to COMT-Met homozygotes. Moreover, COMT-Val+ carriers treated with chemotherapy performed more poorly on tests of attention relative to HC group members who were also Val+ carriers. Conclusions: The results suggest that persons treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer who also possess the COMT-Val gene are susceptible to negative effects on their cognitive health. This research is important because it strives to understand the factors that predispose some cancer survivors to more negative quality-of-life outcomes.