How has precision medicine impacted cancer treatment?
Precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine, has had a profound impact on cancer treatment. This approach involves tailoring medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient and their disease. By analyzing the genetic and molecular profile of a patient's tumor, oncologists can identify specific mutations and target them with targeted therapies. For example, drugs like imatinib have been developed to target specific genetic mutations in certain types of cancer, such as chronic myeloid leukemia. Similarly, immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promise in treating various cancers by enhancing the body's immune response to cancer cells.
