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Gemcitabine (Gemzar)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Gemcitabine

What it is

Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy medicine of the antimetabolite group: inside cells it is turned into a false building block of DNA that stops DNA from being copied. It is given by drip for pancreatic, lung, bladder, breast and ovarian cancers, among others. It is sold as Gemzar, among other names.

How genes come into it

Studies have looked at genes along gemcitabine's whole path: the carriers that take it into cells (SLC29A1, SLC28A1), the enzymes that activate it (DCK, CMPK1), the enzyme that inactivates it (CDA, cytidine deaminase), and its target, ribonucleotide reductase (RRM1). Low-activity CDA variants have been linked to more side effects. These findings come from single or a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Gemcitabine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (90 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

CDA rs2072671: Level 3. Toxicity: Mesothelioma, Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Pancreatic Neoplasms. 6.

RRM1 rs9937: Level 3. Efficacy, Toxicity: Neoplasms. 5.

CDA rs1048977: Level 3. Other: Neoplasms. 5.

RRM1 rs12806698: Level 3. Efficacy: Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. 4.

Metabolism (16 findings)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

CDA rs1048977: Genotype TT is associated with decreased metabolism of gemcitabine as compared to genotypes CC + CT.

CDA rs2072671: Genotype AA is associated with decreased metabolism of gemcitabine in people with Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung as compared to genotypes AC + CC.

CDA rs2072671: Allele C is associated with decreased clearance of gemcitabine in people with Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung as compared to allele A.

CDA rs60369023: Allele A is associated with decreased metabolism of gemcitabine in people with Neoplasms as compared to allele G.

Response (98 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

CASP7 rs1127687: Genotypes AA + AG are associated with decreased response to gemcitabine and Platinum compounds in people with Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung as compared to genotype GG.

CASP7 rs12415607: Genotypes AA + AC are associated with increased response to docetaxel, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, Platinum compounds or vinorelbine in people with Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung as compared to genotype CC.

CASP7 rs2227310: Genotypes CG + GG are associated with increased response to docetaxel, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, Platinum compounds or vinorelbine in people with Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung as compared to genotype CC.

CASP7 rs4353229: Genotypes CC + CT are associated with increased response to docetaxel, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, Platinum compounds or vinorelbine in people with Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung as compared to genotype TT.

Side effects (1 finding)

Studies of side effects in people carrying a variant.

CDA rs2072671: Allele C is not associated with decreased metabolism of gemcitabine in people with Neoplasms as compared to allele A.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

5-FU (Antimetabolites)

Alimta (Antimetabolites)

Cytosar-U (Antimetabolites)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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