Is your physician thinking of prescribing Tamoxifen?
Are you currently taking Tamoxifen?
Are you concerned about drug effectiveness?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your physician about CYP2D6 testing for tamoxifen.
Genelex will be happy to mail information to you or to your healthcare provider on your behalf, simply complete the request form.
Tamoxifen is a medication for the treatment of breast cancer
or for people at a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Recent research has shown that 7-10% of women with breast cancer
may not receive the full medical benefit from taking tamoxifen
due to their unique genetic make-up. These women have a version
of a gene called Cytochrome P450 2D6, which reduces the effectiveness
of tamoxifen and increase their chance of breast cancer recurrence.
The evidence is so strong that an FDA panel recently recommended
that the label of tamoxifen be changed to say that 2D6 poor metabolizers
who take tamoxifen have a higher risk for breast cancer recurrence,
and that testing is available.( Click here to download tamoxifen 2D6 testing information for your healthcare provider).
DNA Drug Reaction Testing can examine your DNA variations in
2D6 and other important drug processing pathways. Your physician
can use this information to adjust dosage and select medications
that will be the safest and most effective for you. Since more
than 20% of all clinically used medications are metabolized by
2D6, knowing your 2D6 status can help you and your doctor with
the future selection of medications.
Genetic testing can tell whether tamoxifen is likely to be an
effective treatment for you. This test looks at a specific gene,
called 2D6, to determine whether your body can fully metabolize
tamoxifen to its active form, endoxifen. If tamoxifen is not an effective treatment, your physician may recommend aromatase inhibitors.
Who Should Be Tested
The CYP2D6 test for tamoxifen is considered appropriate for women
who are taking or considering taking tamoxifen to prevent the
recurrence of breast cancer. It is especially important if
the patient is also taking or considering co-administration
with SSRIs.
The Testing Process
The process is simple. You can order testing directly if you have a physician prescription or your healthcare provider can request testing for you. We send a cheek swab collection kit with directions by mail. Use the return mailer to submit samples and receive results in ten days or less. Faster testing is available for an additional charge. Call a DNA testing consultant at (800) 523-3080 for details and to order.
In the News - Mayo study further confirms the importance of CYP2D6 for tamoxifen effectiveness building the case for genotyping and medication management. Click here to read the story.
Note: Testing is currently not available to New York residents and requires a prescription from a physician.
