Genetic Tie to Cancer and Treatment-Related Cognitive Decline for Older Breast Cancer Survivors

Hackensack University Medical Center participates in study identifying two SNPs with potential cognition impact

A study recently published in Cancer identified potential genetic ties to cancer- and treatment-related cognitive decline (CRCD) in older female breast cancer survivors. Highlights of the study in which the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center participated, include:

• The study provides preliminary evidence that novel genetic loci may influence susceptibility to CRCD.
• Cancer patients with minor alleles for two SNPs experienced lower one-year APE scores than non-carriers and controls.
• The SNPs associated with cognition in survivors are in the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase family and affect cell signaling, cancer risk and neurodegeneration.

This study is an important step in addressing the void of genome-wide published evaluations of the genetics of cancer- and treatment-related cognitive decline (CRCD).

The specific genetic variations identified with survivor cognition were rs76859653 (chromosome 1) in the hemicentin 1 (HMCN1) gene and rs78786199 in an intergenic region.

Learn more about innovative cancer treatments at Hackensack University Medical Center.