Understanding oncogenes and tumor suppressors is important for improving personalized medicine, especially in the field of systems pathology. These genetic changes play a big role in how cancer develops and grows. They also affect how doctors can treat patients based on their unique genetic makeup.

Oncogenes

• Oncogenes are faulty versions of normal genes (called proto-oncogenes) that help cells grow and divide.
• About 30% of human cancers have mutations in oncogenes.
• A good example is the RAS gene family, which is changed in about 25% of all cancers. This gene is important for activating cancer-related signals.

Tumor Suppressors

• Tumor suppressor genes do the opposite; they stop cell division and encourage cell death when needed.
• The TP53 gene is often called the "guardian of the genome." It is mutated in around 50% of cancers, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth.
• When these genes lose their function, important checkpoints in the cell cycle can become unregulated.

Implications for Personalized Medicine

1. Targeted Therapies:

   • Knowing the specific changes in oncogenes and tumor suppressors helps create targeted therapies. For example, about 10% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have mutations in the EGFR gene. There are specific treatments, like gefitinib, that have better results for these patients.

2. Biomarkers:

   • Genetic testing helps find biomarkers, which are clues that can show how well a patient might respond to treatments. For instance, a study found that patients with certain KRAS mutations have different reactions to treatment plans. This shows why personalized approaches are important.

3. Prognostic Indicators:

   • The types of mutations present can help predict how a patient will do. For example, patients with mutated TP53 typically have worse outcomes compared to those with normal TP53 genes.

4. Clinical Trials:

   • Personalized medicine encourages people to join clinical trials that match their genetic profiles. About 70% of patients in clinical trials receive targeted therapies based on their genetic changes, improving their chances of success.

Conclusion

In short, understanding oncogenes and tumor suppressors helps doctors create better treatments tailored to each patient. By using genetic changes to guide clinical decisions, personalized medicine not only makes treatments more effective but also offers hope for better survival rates among various types of cancer.