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Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase genotype modulates cancer treatment‐related cognitive deficits in breast cancer survivors
Author(s) -
Small Brent J.,
Rawson Kerri Sharp,
Walsh Erin,
Jim Heather S. L.,
Hughes Tiffany F.,
Iser Lindsay,
Andrykowski Michael A.,
Jacobsen Paul B.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.25685
Subject(s) - catechol o methyl transferase , breast cancer , medicine , oncology , cancer , cognition , genotype , chemotherapy , neuropsychology , rs4680 , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , clinical psychology , psychiatry , genetics , gene , biology
Abstract BACKGROUND: Recent attention has focused on the negative effects of chemotherapy on the cognitive performance of cancer survivors. The current study examined modification of this risk by catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) genotype based on evidence in adult populations that the presence of a Val allele is associated with poorer cognitive performance. METHODS: Breast cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy (n = 58), and/or chemotherapy (n = 72), and 204 healthy controls (HCs) completed tests of cognitive performance and provided saliva for COMT genotyping. COMT genotype was divided into Val carriers (Val+; Val/Val, Val/Met) or COMT‐Met homozygote carriers (Met; Met/Met). RESULTS: COMT‐Val+ carriers performed more poorly on tests of attention, verbal fluency, and motor speed relative to COMT‐Met homozygotes. Moreover, COMT‐Val+ carriers treated with chemotherapy performed more poorly on tests of attention relative to HC group members who were also Val+ carriers. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that persons treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer who also possess the COMT‐Val gene are susceptible to negative effects on their cognitive health. This research is important because it strives to understand the factors that predispose some cancer survivors to more negative quality‐of‐life outcomes. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.