StrongMom Supporting a Mom with Cancer and creating awareness for DPD Deficiency and 5-FU Toxicity

Kerrie’s Story

Kerrie Prettitore, a young mother of three, was diagnosed with colon cancer in February 2014 and subsequently had successful surgery to remove the tumor. However, a rare genetic disorder had her fighting for her life after a single chemotherapy treatment. Kerrie didn’t know she was born with DPD Deficiency, which dramatically increases risk factors for 5-FU based chemotherapy. Read more about Kerrie’s story »

What is DPD Deficiency

DPD Deficiency (Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency) is a genetic disorder in which the body lacks the DPD enzyme. Roughly 4-8% of the population has some form of DPD Deficiency, ranging from partial to complete lack of the enzyme in their system. DPD is needed to break down the chemotherapy drugs 5-FU (fluorouracil) and capecitabine. Up to 30% of cancer patients receiving 5-FU experience severe toxicity (grades 3 and 4), yet testing is NEVER done before chemotherapy treatment begins. Patients with full or partial DPD Deficiency are at serious risk of neuroencephalopathy (brain damage) and death. Learn more about DPD Deficiency »

Learn more about the risks of DPD Deficiency and certain chemotherapy drugs at Advocates of Universal DPD/DPYD Testing.