Can a Saliva Test Predict Chemo Side Effects? Plus Four Other Breast Cancer Research Updates

People with a mutation in the DPYD gene have a much higher risk of severe, sometimes life-threatening side effects from 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapy medicine.

A new saliva test may offer a faster and easier way to identify people with a DPYD mutation. The test also has uncovered previously unknown DPYD mutations that may cause severe 5-FU side effects, including diarrhea, low white blood cell counts, and throat and mouth sores.

Women with a BRCA mutation have a much higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer than women who don’t have one of these mutations. To reduce these risks, guidelines recommend women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed by the age of 45.

A study found that among women with a BRCA mutation and a history of breast cancer removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes reduced the risk of dying from breast cancer by about 60%. The study also found that the removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes wasn’t linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, or depression.

Five days of radiation after surgery for early-stage breast cancer is just as safe and effective as three weeks of radiation, according to the latest findings of the FAST-Forward trial.

The study tested two five-day schedules that delivered either 26 or 27 Gray (a Gray is a dose of radiation) against the standard 15-day schedule that delivers 40 Gray.

After 10 years of follow-up, rates of recurrence (the cancer coming back) were 3.6% for people who received 40 Gray, 3% for people who received 27 Gray, and 2% for people who received 26 Gray,

Skin side effects were similar for the 40 Gray and 26 Gray regimens, while the 27 Gray regimen caused slightly worse side effects.

Taking probiotics three times a day in between chemotherapy cycles may help ease fatigue and nausea in people with breast cancer, a very small study suggests.

While the results of this study are promising, more and larger studies are needed to confirm the results and ensure that the probiotics don’t interfere with how chemo works.

The PARTNER trial found that combining Lynparza (chemical name: olaparib) with chemotherapy before surgery for early-stage breast cancer in people with a BRCA mutation improves overall survival, breast cancer-specific survival, and also reduces the risk of recurrence.

For early-stage disease, Lynparza after breast cancer surgery and chemotherapy is the standard of care. The results of the study may lead doctors to recommend Lynparza along with chemo before surgery.

Still, the people in this study didn’t get Lynparza after surgery, and it’s unclear if Lynparza both before and after surgery would reduce the risk of recurrence even more.