Breakthrough in cancer treatment: How gene therapy can stop growth of cancer cells

Cancer arises when the DNA within a cell becomes damaged or altered, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. This genetic change disrupts normal cellular functions, such as signaling when to grow and when to stop. According to Dr. B S Ajaikumar, a prominent oncologist, treating cancer successfully requires a precise and tailored approach from the outset. This method not only extends patients' lives but improves the quality of life for those battling the disease.

The key to achieving better outcomes lies in a deep understanding of the patient’s genetic makeup. Dr. Ajaikumar advocates for integrating genomic analysis into cancer treatment to detect why specific treatments lose their effectiveness. By uncovering the genetic mutations that allow cancer cells to resist therapies, treatments can be adjusted proactively to stay ahead of the disease. This forward-thinking approach is transforming the way oncologists treat cancer.

Precision therapy, often known as personalized medicine, tailors treatments based on a patient’s unique genetic profile. Traditional cancer therapies, like chemotherapy, target all rapidly dividing cells, but precision therapy focuses on the genetic mutations driving cancer growth in each individual patient. This reduces side effects and increases treatment effectiveness. By targeting specific mutations in cancer cells, doctors can deliver the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.

Genomics, the study of genes and their functions, plays a crucial role in personalizing cancer treatments. By mapping the genetic mutations within a tumor, oncologists can develop targeted therapies that directly attack the cancer’s genetic drivers. This minimizes damage to healthy cells, making treatment less invasive and more efficient. Understanding the genetic landscape of a tumor through genomic analysis enables doctors to prescribe therapies that are most likely to work for that specific patient.

Cancer is often the result of genetic changes like mutations, deletions, or duplications in key genes. Genomic testing compares the DNA of a tumor with the normal DNA of the patient, helping identify which mutations are driving cancer development. For example, mutations in the EGFR gene in lung cancer can be treated with targeted therapies like EGFR inhibitors, which are specifically designed to block the effects of the mutation and stop the cancer from progressing.

Genomic testing enables the identification of genetic changes that make cancer cells vulnerable to specific drugs. Targeted therapies work by focusing on proteins that fuel cancer growth. By understanding the tumor’s genetic profile, oncologists can prescribe treatments that directly target the underlying mutations. Sometimes, genomic testing can even reveal rare mutations, allowing doctors to repurpose existing drugs used for other types of cancer to treat the patient more effectively.

Genomic testing isn’t just useful for current cancer treatment; it can also predict a patient’s risk of developing cancer in the future. Certain inherited mutations, like those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, significantly increase the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Early identification of these mutations allows for proactive measures, such as enhanced screening or preventive surgeries, reducing the likelihood of cancer developing or catching it in its early stages.

While genomic testing is becoming more accessible, the cost remains a challenge. As more people undergo genomic testing, the price is expected to decrease. The primary expense stems from the reagents used in the testing process, not the initial setup of the testing equipment. However, with ongoing validation studies using in-house reagents, there is hope that in the near future, gene testing will be a routine and affordable procedure, costing under ₹10,000.