DPYD (DihydroPYrimiDine) Deficiency
A Life Threatening Condition for Cancer Patients

What is DPYD deficiency?

It is a genetic condition where your body lacks a functional enzyme to break down uracil and thymine. Meaning they stay in your body much longer than they should.

For patients with certain cancers (colorectal, breast, skin…) who are prescribed these drugs without first doing DPYD genetic testing, the drugs that kill the cancer can end up killing the patient. It is estimated that 3%-8% of the population have a particial deficiency of this enzyme and .1%-.3% have complete deficiency.

If you or a loved one have a high risk of these cancers or have been diagnosed, please ask your doctor if pharmacogenetic testing is right for you.

https://www.eviq.org.au/clinical-resources/side-effect-and-toxicity-management/prophylaxis-and-treatment/1744-dihydropyrimidine-dehydrogenase-dpd-enzyme#:~:text=A%20partial%20DPD%20deficiency%20occurs,7

In recent legal news, OHSU settled a wrongful death case from a patient who died due to a toxic reaction from his cancer treatment.

https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2022/05/ohsu-to-pay-1-million-promises-change-to-settle-lawsuit-from-widow-of-cancer-patient.html