What is the Role of Somatic Mutations in Personalized Medicine?
Somatic mutations play a crucial role in the field of personalized medicine. Identifying specific mutations in a patient's tumor can guide the selection of targeted therapies. For example, mutations in the EGFR gene in lung cancer can be targeted with EGFR inhibitors, while mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes can indicate susceptibility to PARP inhibitors. This approach increases the efficacy of treatment and minimizes side effects.
