How Does the Genetic Landscape Influence Cancer Treatment?
The genetic landscape of a tumor significantly influences treatment decisions. Targeted therapies are designed to specifically inhibit the function of mutated genes or proteins that drive cancer growth. For example:
- EGFR inhibitors are used in lung cancer patients with EGFR mutations. - HER2 inhibitors are effective in breast cancer patients with HER2 gene amplification. - PARP inhibitors are used in patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
Additionally, understanding the genetic landscape can help predict resistance to certain treatments and guide the use of combination therapies to overcome resistance mechanisms.
