Researchers discover treatable cause of severe anemia associated with a cancer therapy

AI Summary

Researchers at Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center identify a treatable folate deficiency causing severe anemia in some cancer patients receiving PARP inhibitors. Routine folic acid screening could reduce hospitalizations and treatment interruptions.

Researchers at the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center have identified a previously underrecognized folate deficiency that may cause severe anemia in some patients receiving PARP inhibitors, a widely used class of targeted cancer therapies. Their findings, published in the latest issue of the journal Blood Red Cells & Iron, suggest that routine screening and treatment with folic acid could help many patients avoid blood transfusions, hospitalizations and interruptions to their cancer treatment.