How Does Basic Cancer Research Translate to Clinical Applications?
Basic cancer research provides the knowledge base necessary for the development of new drugs and therapies. For example, the identification of specific mutations in certain cancers has led to the development of targeted therapies that specifically inhibit the function of these mutated proteins. Furthermore, understanding the mechanisms of resistance to existing therapies can lead to the development of combination therapies that are more effective. Basic research also informs the design of clinical trials by identifying biomarkers that can predict which patients are most likely to benefit from a particular treatment.