What Is Genomic Tumor Testing?

Cancer is a disease of the genome (DNA) and occurs when changes in a person's genome cause uncontrollable cell growth and division. These genomic changes can beinheritedfrom the person’s parents or acquired at some point during their life.

Acquired genomic variants are the root cause of the vast majority of cancer. However, in approximately five percent of cases, the individual has inherited a variant that greatly increases their risk of cancer.

Inherited variants or germline variants

• 这些变化ants are found in nearly all cells of a person, and some rare variants increase a person's risk of cancer. When a patient has this type of germline variant, it is critical to identify it through genomic testing.
• Additional screening or prophylactic surgery may be offered to the patient with this type of variant.
• Patients with specificBRCA1andBRCA2gene variants may choose to have a preventativemastectomyoroophorectomy.
• 关键是考虑对巴勒斯坦权力机构的影响tient's family because appropriate testing can identify other at-risk relatives who may be able to take precautions to reduce their risk of cancer.

Acquired variants or somatic variants

• 这些变化ants are only found in cancer cells. These mutations are not inherited and cannot be passed down to children.
• Somatic variants can be caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet light,smoking,radiation, oralcohol, or they can be completely random.
• Errors may be introduced each time a cell divides. Although there are numerous mechanisms within the cell to correct these errors, they are occasionally overlooked.

If a genomic assay reveals that cancer has certain mutations, the patient may be able to participate inclinical trialsfor new medicines that target those mutations.

Alternatively, the patient may be able to obtain a medicine that is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cancer but is approved to target that mutation in another type of cancer.

• Oncologists encourage many people with metastatic cancer to undergo genomic testing. They believe it will be especially useful in matching people with clinical trials testing new treatments.
• If the patient has several clinical trials to choose from, knowing the mutational profile of the tumor can help them narrow down their options.
• Cancer that has progressed on standard treatments becomes stable and even shrinks when patients enter a clinical trial for a targeted therapy based on genomic markers.
• However, oncologists caution that genomic tests are not yet considered standard of care.

To summarize, cancer treatment is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Even if two people have the same tumor site, they may respond differently to treatment plans. Treatment must be truly personalized to provide the best possible care for oncology patients. That is where genomics is leading.

The study of a tumor site's geneticmakeupis known as genomics. Genomic testing can help a care team better understand cancer by examining the specific genetic mutations at work. As a result, patients and doctors can benefit from a more personalized treatment plan and more informed decision-making.