Pharmacogenomics is really important in cancer treatment. It helps doctors understand how a person's genes can change how they respond to medicine. Here are some key ways it helps with cancer care:
Drug Metabolism: Our bodies break down drugs differently, and that can depend on our genes. Some people have variations in a gene called CYP2D6. This can change how well certain chemotherapy drugs, like tamoxifen, work for them. About 20-30% of cancer patients have these variations.
Targeted Therapies: Certain gene changes can help doctors choose specific treatments. For example, in patients with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), about 15-20% have changes in a gene called EGFR. This can show that they will respond well to a drug called osimertinib. These patients have a response rate of around 60%, while those without the mutation only have a 10% response rate.
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs): Some genetic tests can help reduce bad reactions to drugs. One example is a gene called TPMT. If a patient's TPMT gene is not checked, about 10% of them may have serious side effects from thiopurine drugs.
Tumor Profiling: Looking closely at the genes in a patient's tumor can find important mutations. Studies show that 30-50% of patients with advanced cancer can benefit from treatments that are matched to their unique tumor genes.
In short, pharmacogenomics helps make cancer treatment more accurate. By tailoring the drugs and their doses based on a person's genetic information, it's believed that treatment success rates can improve by 20-50%. This means better outcomes for many patients.
Pharmacogenomics is really important in cancer treatment. It helps doctors understand how a person's genes can change how they respond to medicine. Here are some key ways it helps with cancer care:
Drug Metabolism: Our bodies break down drugs differently, and that can depend on our genes. Some people have variations in a gene called CYP2D6. This can change how well certain chemotherapy drugs, like tamoxifen, work for them. About 20-30% of cancer patients have these variations.
Targeted Therapies: Certain gene changes can help doctors choose specific treatments. For example, in patients with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), about 15-20% have changes in a gene called EGFR. This can show that they will respond well to a drug called osimertinib. These patients have a response rate of around 60%, while those without the mutation only have a 10% response rate.
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs): Some genetic tests can help reduce bad reactions to drugs. One example is a gene called TPMT. If a patient's TPMT gene is not checked, about 10% of them may have serious side effects from thiopurine drugs.
Tumor Profiling: Looking closely at the genes in a patient's tumor can find important mutations. Studies show that 30-50% of patients with advanced cancer can benefit from treatments that are matched to their unique tumor genes.
In short, pharmacogenomics helps make cancer treatment more accurate. By tailoring the drugs and their doses based on a person's genetic information, it's believed that treatment success rates can improve by 20-50%. This means better outcomes for many patients.