Can polymorphism information decrease side effects of anti-cancer drugs?

In recent years, many kinds of polymorphism have been examined. It has been reported that individual differences in the blood and/or tissue concentration and response of anticancer drugs depend on polymorphisms. However, although the correlations of polymorphisms and drug metabolism, and the susceptibility locus of the cancer itself, etc. are often studied, there is little research on individual differences in the reaction and intracellular signalling by antineoplastic drugs. Since the correlations of polymorphisms and production of mediators such as cytokines, the incidence of disease and morbidity and mortality are already reported, polymorphisms also cause individual differences in the reaction and the intracellular signalling by antineoplastic drugs. Here, we report one aspect of the research that cytokine polymorphisms may cause differences of chemotherapy-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and we point out problems and comment on future issues in polymorphism research.