Daniel Hertz, Pharm.D., Ph.D.

Clinical translation of genetic biomarkers of cancer treatment-related toxicity

Dr. Hertz has an interest in advancing clinical uptake of genetic screening for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) to ensure the safety of fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy in patients with cancer. He is a medical advisor to a non-profit patient advocacy organization, Advocates for Universal DPD/DPYD Testing, and works to advocate for this testing through clinical guidelines organizations, the FDA, and healthcare payers. He is also a thought leader in the evidentiary threshold to recommend pharmacogenetic testing, particularly for toxicity avoidance.

  • Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Pharm.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
U-M research and outreach inform FDA action aimed at protecting cancer patients
Genetic testing key to safer chemotherapy
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Health Promotion and Prevention
Health Promotion and Prevention Screening
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Cancer
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Medical School Internal Medicine Hematology and Oncology
Pharmacy
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Our expert answers 3 Questions

What are you thinking about?

I’m thinking about how to convince clinicians, regulators, and payers to support DPYD genetic testing to ensure safe use of fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy.

Why is this interesting to you?

DPYD testing prior to fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy is standard of care in Europe, but not in the USA. Identifying and overcoming these barriers would benefit patients and the US healthcare system.

What are the practical implications for healthcare?

Making DPYD testing the standard of care in the USA could prevent tens of thousands of toxicities and nearly a thousand deaths annually in the USA, while reducing overall healthcare costs.