Genetic biomarker may predict nerve pain side effects associated with prostate cancer treatment

(H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute) Taxanes are a group of drugs commonly used to treat cancers of the breast, lung, ovary, or prostate, but its use can be limited by significant side effects. Researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center report prostate cancer patients who have a variation in the VAC14 gene are more susceptible to a side effect called peripheral neuropathy when treated with the taxane docetaxel.