Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping Could Predict Severe Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping could be used to predict radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer, according to findings that were presented during the 47th Annual Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Congress.

Through an evaluation of 16 cohort studies, 13 of which had a low risk of bias, the following 7 genotypes were found to be associated with severe radiation dermatitis: CD44 rs8193-CT, GSTA1 rs3957356-CT, MAD2L2 rs2294638-GG, MAT1A rs2282367-GG, PTTG1 rs2961950-AA, PTTG1 rs3811999-CC, and SH3GL1 rs243336-GC.

Lower radiation dermatitis was found in those with CD44 rs8193-CC, MAT1A rs2282367-GA, OGG1 rs2075747-AA, PTTG1 rs2961952-GG, and PTTG1 rs3811999-CT genotypes.

“[This association] can be used to contribute to planning of radiation therapy as well as improve the nursing follow-up of patients most likely to develop severe radiation dermatitis, based on clinical and genetic assessment,” lead study author Beatriz Aguiar, of the University of Brasilia in Brazil, said in a virtual presentation of the data.

Radiation dermatitis, which occurs in an estimated 95% of patients with breast cancer who are undergoing radiation, typically has an impact on the continuity of treatment for patients with breast cancer, along with their quality of life and their body image.

Prior radiogenomic studies have evaluated the potential of SNPs to predict the risk of severe radiation dermatitis, the authors noted in their poster.

In the analysis presented at the ONS Congress, investigators sought to identify whether SNPs are associated with the rate of severe radiation dermatitis with the use of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) criteria. The authors also performed the search at CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in the gray literature and in a reference list of articles.

Additionally, the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Cohort Studies tool was utilized to assess the risk of bias from the individual studies. Investigators conducted a meta-analysis of 16 cohort studies to evaluate the association between SNPs and severe radiation dermatitis. Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation was also utilized to assess evidence.

Further findings showed that there was a low certainty of evidence for association with severe radiation dermatitis in the GSTA1 gene – SNP rs3957356 – CT genotype (odds ratio [OR]: 5.57; 95% CI, 1.73-17.87; P = .004). This was also the case in the GG genotype with the MAT1A gene – SNP rs2282367 (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.18-3.48; P = .01).

Reference

Aguiar B, Normando AG, Guerra E, et al. Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with severity of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Presented at: 47th Annual Oncology Nursing Society Congress; April 27-May 1, 2022; Anaheim, CA. Abstract P7.