Oncology is a scary diagnosis. But medicine does not stand still, and today the fight against cancer is reaching a new level. One of the most promising areas has become treatment based on the individual genetic characteristics of the tumor and the patient himself. This is no longer just shooting at squares, but a targeted strike.
The idea is not to treat "lung cancer" or "breast cancer" according to general protocols, but to select therapy for a specific mutation that caused tumor growth in a particular person. Does it sound like fiction? But this is already a reality in many ways.
Cancer genetics: what's the point?
Cancer occurs due to the accumulation of mutations in the DNA of cells. These mutations cause cells to divide uncontrollably and form a tumor. But it is important to understand that even within the same type of cancer (for example, lung cancer), mutations in different patients can be completely different.
Some tumors grow due to mutations in the EGFR gene, others due to changes in ALK, and others due to BRAF... And each such mutation is a potential target for a drug. Decoding the tumor genome makes it possible to identify these "weak points" and select a drug that will act specifically on them.
Targeted therapy: right on target
Drugs designed to target specific molecular targets (the same mutations) are called targeted drugs. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which targets all rapidly dividing cells (both cancerous and healthy), targeted therapy acts more selectively.
This allows, on the one hand, to increase the effectiveness of treatment (because the drug hits exactly the target), and on the other hand, to reduce toxicity and side effects. Examples of such drugs are already widely used:
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in CML or lung cancer with EGFR mutation.
- BRAF inhibitors in melanoma.
- Drugs that block HER2 in breast cancer.
New targeted drugs are constantly emerging for an increasing number of genetic targets. This is truly a revolution in oncology.
Immunotherapy: Wake up the defender
Another breakthrough area closely related to genetics is immunotherapy. The idea is not to attack the tumor directly, but to help the patient's own immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. Tumors often know how to "mask" themselves from the immune system.
Modern immunopreparations (for example, PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors) remove this disguise, allowing T-lymphocytes to attack cancer. The effectiveness of immunotherapy may also depend on the genetic characteristics of the tumor, for example, on the so-called mutation load (the more mutations, the more "noticeable" the tumor is for immunity). Genetic analysis helps predict who is more likely to benefit from immunotherapy.
What awaits us? The prospects of personalization
Personalized oncology is no longer the future, but the present. Every year, genetic testing of tumors is becoming more accessible, and the arsenal of targeted and immunopreparations is expanding. This gives hope for more effective and less toxic treatment for many patients.
Of course, difficulties remain: not all mutations have their own drugs, and tumors can develop resistance to therapy. But the direction is set correctly. Genome analysis makes it possible not only to treat cancer, but also to understand its individual nature and select the keys to each specific "door". This is the way to transform many types of cancer from a death sentence into a chronic disease that can be treated for a long time and with high quality. All popular Bangladeshi payment methods are available at 1xbet, provided you select the correct country during registration. Transactions are fast, commission-free, and not subject to any unreasonable blocks. Here’s how to deposit and withdraw funds for online sports betting. The 1xbet promo code today in the registration form and claim exclusive bonuses for casino and sports betting. The process is quick — payments are usually processed instantly and appear in your balance within 10–15 minutes. You can check the status in the “Payment History” section of the 1xBet app. There are no risks, like Nagad and bKash.