A study by the Jamilur Rahman Centre at the University of Karachi reveals that breast cancer drugs imported from Western countries are largely ineffective for Pakistani patients due to significant genetic differences. Research indicates that treatments do not consider these differences, leading to poor outcomes. The high breast cancer rates in Pakistan call for tailored therapies reflecting the local genetic landscape.
A recent study has indicated that the efficacy of imported chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer treatment in Pakistan is largely limited. Conducted by the Jamilur Rahman Centre for Genomic Research at the University of Karachi, the research highlights significant genetic differences between the Pakistani population and those in Western countries where these drugs are developed and tested.
Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, the research team leader and an Associate Professor at IBCCS, emphasized that current breast cancer therapies predominantly consist of drugs manufactured in Western nations. He pointed out that clinical trials for these drugs often do not take into account the unique genetic profile of the Pakistani populace. Furthermore, their study showed that a commonly used chemotherapy drug demonstrated much lower effectiveness on Pakistani breast cancer cell lines compared to European ones.
The study draws attention to the alarming cancer statistics in Pakistan, particularly breast cancer, which ranks seventh in incidence in South Asia and fifth in mortality rates. Most cases are reported among women aged 30 to 45 years. As stated by researcher Samra Khan, treatment protocols are currently based on data from European countries, which do not align well with the types of breast cancer prevalent in Pakistan, such as BRCA 1 and BRCA 2.
Other researchers, including Dr. M. Shakil, Warda Qureshi, and Humera Salim, noted that chemotherapy patients are experiencing recurrences of cancer sooner than anticipated, further underscoring the need for tailored treatments. They advocate for large-scale studies to ascertain the genetic specificities of the Pakistani population in relation to breast cancer treatment protocols.
The study reveals significant genetic disparities that affect the efficacy of imported breast cancer drugs in Pakistan. This necessitates further research and development of localized treatment options. It illuminates the urgency to rethink current treatment methodologies, as high breast cancer incidence rates coupled with ineffective therapies pose serious health challenges to Pakistani women.
Original Source: tribune.com.pk
