What Are Frequent Genetic Changes in Cancer?
Cancer is primarily a disease of the genes. Genetic changes, including mutations, amplifications, deletions, and rearrangements, frequently occur in cancer cells. These changes can activate
oncogenes or deactivate
tumor suppressor genes, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and division. For example, mutations in the
TP53 gene, which normally helps regulate cell division and prevent mutations, are common in various cancers.
What Are Epigenetic Changes in Cancer?
Aside from genetic changes, cancer cells often exhibit
epigenetic changes, which involve modifications that affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. These can include DNA methylation, histone modification, and changes in
microRNA levels. Such epigenetic modifications can either silence tumor suppressor genes or activate oncogenes, further driving cancer progression.
How Does Cancer Evolve Over Time?
Cancer is not static; it evolves over time through a process called
clonal evolution. As cancer cells divide, they acquire additional genetic and epigenetic changes, leading to the emergence of subclones with distinct properties. This heterogeneity within the tumor can contribute to resistance to treatment, as different subclones may respond differently to therapies.
How Do These Changes Impact Treatment?
The frequent genetic and epigenetic changes in cancer cells present challenges and opportunities for treatment. On one hand, they contribute to
drug resistance and treatment failure. On the other hand, understanding these changes can lead to the development of targeted therapies that specifically address the molecular abnormalities in cancer cells. For example,
targeted therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies have been designed to target specific mutations or pathways involved in cancer.
What Is the Role of Personalized Medicine?
Personalized medicine aims to tailor treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient's cancer. By analyzing the genetic and epigenetic changes in a patient's tumor, doctors can select therapies that are more likely to be effective. This approach can improve outcomes and reduce side effects compared to traditional treatments.
Genomic profiling and
biomarker analysis are key components of personalized medicine in oncology.
