A study looking at how genes may affect breast cancer chemotherapy (AC PK Study)

This study looked at genes to try and find a link with how the body handles chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Doctors call studies looking at how the body handles drugs pharmacokinetic (PK) studies. In this study, people gave blood samples before, during and after chemotherapy so the research team could measure the amount of drug in it, and look for variations in their genes.

Genes are coded information that tells cells how to behave. They control growth and development of the body. Researchers wanted to find out if differences in genes affect how people get rid of chemotherapy drugs from the bloodstream.

The aims of the study were to

• Measure and compare the levels of chemotherapy in blood samples from people taking part

• Look for genes that may affect these levels, and see if there is a link