Pharmacogenetics of Solid Tumors: Directed Therapy in Breast, Lung, and Colorectal Cancer

Genetic variability in drug-metabolizing enzymes and signaling pathways affects chemotherapy-related toxicity and treatment outcome in cancer. In breast and colorectal cancer, polymorphisms in metabolic enzymes involved in tamoxifen and irinotecan therapies has led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to address genetic factors relevant to patient consideration of treatment with these compounds. Tamoxifen therapeutic failure in breast cancer has been associated with reduced CYP2D6 activity due to inefficient activation of tamoxifen. Irinotecan toxicity in colorectal cancer is more common in patients with reduced-activity UGT1A alleles, resulting in excessive exposure to the potent SN-38 metabolite. In colorectal and lung cancers, somatic mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor and downstream signaling molecules have been associated with the therapeutic outcome of epidermal growth factor receptor-directed therapies. This review discusses the current knowledge regarding the utility of single gene— UGT1A1, CYP2D6, EGFR , and KRAS —or multigene analysis, for optimizing breast, colorectal, and lung cancer therapy. Current advances in these areas highlight how pharmacogenetics help personalized decision-making for patient management.