Potential targets are identified through various approaches, including:
Genomic Studies: Sequencing technologies like whole-genome sequencing and RNA sequencing help in identifying mutations, gene fusions, and copy number variations that are specific to cancer cells. Proteomic Studies: These studies analyze the protein expression levels in cancer cells to identify overexpressed or aberrant proteins that could be potential drug targets. Functional Genomics: Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 and RNA interference (RNAi) are used to knock out or silence genes to determine their role in cancer cell survival and proliferation. Bioinformatics: Computational tools and databases integrate various types of biological data to predict and prioritize potential targets.