How has their work influenced the development of cancer therapies?
The understanding of DNA structure and function has been instrumental in the development of various cancer therapies. For instance, the identification of specific genetic mutations has led to the development of targeted therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which block the action of enzymes involved in cancer cell growth. Another example is PARP inhibitors, which target cancer cells with specific DNA repair deficiencies. These therapies have significantly improved the prognosis for many cancer patients.
