A polymorphism in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase's (MTHFR) gene may also determine a patient's risk for capecitabine toxicity. A polymorphism in MTHFR exists at position 677, C to T producing a thermolabile and rapidly degraded enzyme. TT homozygotes have increased levels of methylene tetrahydrofolate. Methylene tetrahydrofolate stabilizes binding of 5FU to thymidylate synthase and the complex of TS, 5FU, and methylene tetrahydrofolate is referred to as the ternary complex. The researcher hypothesizes that increased stabilization of TS and 5FU due to increased amounts of methylene tetrahydrofolate would lead to increased capecitabine toxicity and efficacy. No study has examined if TT homozygotes have an increased response rate to fluoropyrimidines or increased toxicity. Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency has been identified as the cause of rare severe life threatening reactions to fluoropyrimidines. The first case was reported by Tuchman et al in a 27 year old woman who had undergone adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluoruracil and developed severe neurological complications. Diasio et al reported the second case again in a women being treated with 5-fluoruracil for breast cancer.