Can Aberrant Gene Expression be Targeted for Cancer Therapy?
Yes, targeting aberrant gene expression is a promising approach for cancer therapy. Several strategies include: 1. Small Molecule Inhibitors: These can inhibit overactive proteins resulting from gene overexpression, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the BCR-ABL fusion protein in chronic myeloid leukemia. 2. Monoclonal Antibodies: These can bind to overexpressed cell surface proteins and inhibit their function, exemplified by trastuzumab targeting HER2 in breast cancer. 3. Gene Therapy: Approaches to restore normal gene function or silence aberrantly expressed genes using techniques like CRISPR/Cas9.
