Genetic testing reduces risks from chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancer patients: Study

For some patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers like colorectal and pancreatic cancer, chemotherapy can cause severe, sometimes life-threatening side effects in those who carry certain genetic variants that can impact how their bodies process the drugs used to treat their disease. Testing for variants in two genes before starting chemotherapy can significantly improve patient safety by providing physicians with information to help tailor doses, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Those who were found to have one of the genes had half as many side effects in half, as compared to patients with the genes that were given standard doses without testing, according to results published today in JCO Precision Oncology.

“For too long, the U.S. lagged behind Europe in adopting genetic testing for chemotherapy dosing, but our study shows it’s not only feasible but also critical for patient safety,” said the study’s lead author, Sony Tuteja, PharmD, MS, Director of Pharmacogenomics in the Penn Medicine Center for Genomic Medine, a research assistant professor of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics. “With up to 1,300 deaths in the U.S. each year due to side effects from one of the most common forms of chemotherapy drugs, we’ve worked to make testing fast and actionable, getting results in about a week to help doctors make safer treatment decisions.”

Nearly 290,000 Americans are diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers each year – including colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer diagnosis in the nation. Current chemotherapy protocols use standard dosing standards that don’t account for genetic differences in how patients process these drugs.

Genetic Variants Guide Safer Chemotherapy

The study focused on variants in two genes: DPYD and UGT1A1. The DPYD gene produces an enzyme that helps the liver break down drugs like fluoropyrimidines, which are commonly used in gastrointestinal cancer treatment. About 5 to 8% of people carry DPYD variants that hinder the body’s ability to process fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy drugs, causing them to build up to harmful levels, which can lead to serious side effects like reduced blood cell production, mouth sores, or hand-foot syndrome. Similarly, the UGT1A1 gene affects how the body processes irinotecan, another key chemotherapy drug often used to treat GI cancers. Variants in UGT1A1 can lead to the body processing the drug too slowly, increasing the risk of severe diarrhea or low white blood cell counts. By identifying these variants, doctors can lower chemotherapy doses to prevent harmful side effects without compromising treatment effectiveness.

The study enrolled 517 GI cancer patients at three cancer care sites in the University of Pennsylvania Health System who were scheduled to begin chemotherapy treatment with fluoropyrimidine or irinotecan. A group of 288 received blood tests to check for DPYD and UGT1A1 variants. Among 16 patients who were found to have genetic variants and received tailored dose reductions based on test results, 38% experienced severe treatment-related adverse events. In comparison, 65% of 17 patients with the genetic variants from a biobank group who received standard doses without prior testing experienced the serious side effects. The tested group also saw a significantly lower need to change treatment dosage and frequency (38% vs. 76%) and fewer treatment discontinuations (31% vs. 47%), highlighting the potential of precision medicine to enhance patient safety and outcomes.   

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Drugs and Cosmetics Act Set for Fresh Decriminalization Under Jan Vishwas Bill 2025

New Delhi: The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, key legislation governing India’s pharmaceutical sector, is set for further decriminalization under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

Alongside the pharma law, the bill also proposes amendments to the Tea Act, 1953, Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, marking the next phase of the government’s sweeping regulatory reform agenda.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha. The bill, which was earlier cleared by the Union Cabinet, has been referred to the Select Committee by the Hon’ble Speaker for detailed examination, with a report expected by the first day of the next session.

This exercise builds on the success of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023—the first consolidated legislation to systematically decriminalize minor offenses across multiple acts. The 2023 Act, notified on 11th August 2023, decriminalized 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts administered by 19 Ministries/Departments.

Notably, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which was part of the 2023 reforms, is among the four acts—along with the Tea Act, 1953, Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988—proposed for further decriminalization under the current bill.

The 2025 Bill expands this reform agenda to cover 16 Central Acts administered by 10 Ministries/Departments. A total of 355 provisions are proposed to be amended—288 provisions decriminalized to foster ease of doing business, and 67 provisions proposed to be amended to facilitate ease of living.

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, also proposes 67 amendments under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 (NDMC Act) and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to facilitate ease of living.

Key features of the bill:

First-time contraventions: Advisory or warning for 76 offenses under 10 acts.

Decriminalization: Imprisonment clauses for minor, technical or procedural defaults are replaced with monetary penalties or warnings.

Rationalization of penalties: Penalties made proportionate, with graduated penalties for repeated offenses.

Adjudication mechanisms: Designated officers empowered to impose penalties through administrative processes, reducing judicial burden.

Revision of fines and penalties: Automatic 10% increase every three years to maintain deterrence without legislative amendments.

Four acts—the Tea Act, 1953; the Legal Metrology Act, 2009; the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988; and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940—were part of the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 and are proposed for further decriminalization under the current bill.

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, marks a significant milestone in India’s regulatory reform journey. It reflects the government’s commitment to “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” and will catalyze sustainable economic growth and improved ease of doing business.

Also Read: Chemists’ Body Warns of 55% Rise in Drug Abuse, Calls for Ban on 10-Minute Prescription Drug Delivery

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AI model simultaneously detects multiple genetic colorectal cancer markers in tissue samples

A multicenter study has analyzed nearly 2,000 digitized tissue slides from colon cancer patients across seven independent cohorts in Europe and the US. The samples included both whole-slide images of tissue samples and clinical, demographic, and lifestyle data.

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Glass half empty? Nutrition studies shouldn’t just focus on what parents do wrong

If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to care for children’s food needs.

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Companies may be misleading parents with ‘outrageous’ claims about banking baby teeth

Parents are spending thousands of pounds to bank stem cells from their children’s milk teeth—but the recipient companies’ claims about their future medical value are unproven and potentially misleading, reveals an investigation by The BMJ.

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Menopause misinformation is harming care, warn experts

Many direct to consumer menopause services are unnecessary and do not improve care, warn experts in The BMJ.

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Pilot study provides foundation for understanding how music therapy improves pain after pancreatic surgery

A study from University Hospitals Connor Whole Health has found that it was feasible to conduct a live music-assisted relaxation and imagery session among patients admitted for pancreatic surgery. Participants described the music therapy intervention as beneficial and useful throughout recovery while also providing feedback to improve the intervention and data collection procedures moving forward.

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More Sit-to-Stand Transitions May Lower Blood Pressure in Postmenopausal Women: Study

A new study published in Circulation has revealed that increasing the number of daily sit-to-stand transitions can significantly lower diastolic blood pressure in postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity, offering a simple, low-cost strategy to improve cardiovascular health.

Researchers found that participants who performed more frequent sit-to-stand movements throughout the day experienced measurable reductions in diastolic blood pressure, even without additional structured exercise.

The findings highlight the potential benefits of reducing sedentary behavior by incorporating small, frequent bouts of movement into daily routines, particularly for populations at elevated cardiovascular risk. Postmenopausal women often experience increased blood pressure due to hormonal changes, weight gain, and reduced physical activity, making these results especially relevant. By simply standing up from a seated position multiple times a day, individuals may enhance vascular function and lower cardiovascular disease risk.

The authors emphasize that these sit-to-stand transitions are easy to implement in most settings, including at home or work, and can be combined with other healthy lifestyle interventions for greater impact. However, they note that further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects and optimal frequency of these movements. This research supports public health messages encouraging less sitting and more movement as an achievable way to improve heart health.

Reference:
Clarke, J., et al. (2024). Effects of daily sit-to-stand transitions on blood pressure in postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity. Circulation. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.073385

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Lebrikizumab Shows Strong Efficacy and Safety in Atopic Dermatitis: Study

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that significantly impacts quality of life and often requires systemic therapies for patients with moderate-to-severe disease. With increasing focus on targeted biologic therapies, anti–IL-13 monoclonal antibodies have emerged as a promising treatment option for patients inadequately controlled with conventional therapies.

Findings from the BIOREP registry have highlighted that lebrikizumab achieved significant improvement in atopic dermatitis, with 63.7% of patients reaching an EASI-75 response at 16 weeks. The benefit was especially pronounced in treatment-naïve patients compared to those previously exposed to biologics. The therapy also demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with sustained efficacy documented through 24 weeks. Registry data showed that lebrikizumab not only improved objective disease severity scores but also enhanced patient-reported outcomes such as pruritus reduction and quality of life measures. Rates of adverse events remained low, with conjunctivitis and injection-site reactions being the most commonly reported but generally mild. No new safety concerns were identified during the observation period. The study authors emphasized the importance of early initiation, noting that biologic-naïve patients responded more robustly than previously treated patients. This suggests that earlier use of lebrikizumab may maximize clinical benefit and minimize disease burden. In addition, the durability of response over 24 weeks supports its potential as a long-term management option in clinical practice.

As the treatment landscape for atopic dermatitis continues to expand, real-world registry data such as BIOREP provide valuable evidence on the efficacy and safety of emerging biologics beyond controlled clinical trials. The findings reinforce lebrikizumab as a strong therapeutic candidate for patients with moderate-to-severe AD who require systemic intervention.

Reference
Martínez-García, G., Rossi, A., & Chen, Y. (2025). Real-world effectiveness and safety of lebrikizumab in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Findings from the BIOREP registry. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 92(3), 415–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2025.01.045

Keywords: lebrikizumab, atopic dermatitis, EASI-75, BIOREP registry, biologic therapy, IL-13 inhibitor, treatment-naïve, real-world data, safety profile, dermatology

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Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy Helps Improve Blood Sugar Control in Type 2 Diabetes, Study Finds

Netherlands: A new longitudinal study published in the Journal of Dental Research has found that nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) not only improves gum health but also significantly lowers blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), particularly in those with poor baseline glycemic control. 

The research, led by H.K. Chee from the Center for Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands, explored the long-term effects of periodontal treatment on HbA1c levels while accounting for changes in diabetes medications—an aspect that many earlier short-term studies overlooked.
The study followed 154 nonsmoking patients with T2D and periodontitis who received NSPT. Treatment involved professional plaque removal, subgingival instrumentation, root surface debridement, and oral hygiene instructions at baseline, with maintenance care and repeated subgingival therapy provided at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Full-mouth periodontal assessments were conducted at each follow-up, measuring plaque accumulation, bleeding on probing, gingival suppuration, attachment loss, and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA). Glycemic control was tracked through point-of-care HbA1c testing at each visit, supplemented with HbA1c records from the year preceding treatment.
At baseline, the average HbA1c level was 8.4% ± 1.6%. Following treatment, participants demonstrated consistent and sustained improvements in glycemic control. HbA1c decreased by 0.70%, 0.73%, 0.68%, and 0.77% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Notably, those with poorer baseline control (HbA1c >8.0%) experienced the greatest improvement, with an average 1.31% reduction at 12 months compared to just 0.24% in patients who began with HbA1c ≤8.0%.
Periodontal health also showed marked improvement over the study period. PISA was reduced by 352.7 mm² after 12 months, while clinical attachment loss, probing pocket depth, and bleeding scores all significantly improved by the three-month follow-up and were sustained through the year.
Key Findings
  • Average HbA1c dropped by about 0.7% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after periodontal treatment.
  • Patients with baseline HbA1c >8.0% showed the greatest benefit, with a 1.31% reduction at 12 months.
  • Periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) decreased by 352.7 mm² after 12 months.
  • Clinical attachment loss, probing pocket depth, and bleeding scores improved at 3 months and were sustained throughout the year.
“These results highlight the important systemic benefits of periodontal therapy beyond oral health alone,” the authors noted. “Nonsurgical periodontal treatment, when combined with ongoing maintenance, can play a valuable role in improving metabolic control among individuals with type 2 diabetes.”
The findings support the growing evidence of a strong link between periodontal disease and systemic health outcomes, suggesting that managing gum inflammation may have significant implications for diabetes care. While the study was observational, the results align with clinical insights that addressing chronic inflammation through periodontal care can improve glycemic outcomes.
“NSPT led to lasting improvements in both periodontal status and glycemic control over 12 months in patients with T2D. The benefits were especially pronounced in those with poor initial diabetes control, underscoring the importance of integrating oral health care into comprehensive diabetes management strategies,” the authors concluded.
Reference:
Chee, H. K., Tan, H. X., Tjakkes, H. E., Vissink, A., & Seneviratne, C. J. Long-Term Effect of Periodontal Therapy on HbA1c Changes in Type 2 Diabetes. Journal of Dental Research. https://doi.org/10.1177_00220345251357875

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