Despite the clinical experience that exists in the use of docetaxel, the unpredictable serious adverse reactions caused by the use of this drug remain an important determinant to limit the use of this drug.

In a Japanese study that was carried out with the objective of identifying a genetic factor that determines the risk of docetaxel-induced leukopenia, the subjects who received chemotherapy (docetaxel) were selected in samples recruited in the Biobank of Japan, and case-control association study was carried out.

84 patients were genotyped, 28 of them with grade 3-4 of leukopenia/neutropenia, and 56 of them without toxicity (patients with low grade of leukopenia/neutropenia, 1-2, were excluded), for a total of 79 polymorphisms or SNPs in seven genes possibly involved in the metabolism or transport of this drug.

The analysis showed a significant association of the rs11045585, located in the SLCO1B3 gene, with a greater predisposition to docetaxel-induced leukopenia/neutropenia. The carriers of a G allele (individuals with AG or GG genotypes) in this SNP had a higher risk of developing leukopenia/neutropenia as a result of docetaxel treatment. On the contrary, individuals with AA genotype presented a toxicity decreased risk. The SLCO1B3 gene is a cellular transporter through which many drugs penetrate the liver to be metabolized, therefore, variations in its sequence can lead to variations in its function.

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