Final answer:
The gene expression patterns in cancer cells provide vital information about the cancer's origin and can identify potential treatment targets by indicating which genes and pathways are affected.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the gene expression pattern in a cancer cell can tell you something about that specific form of cancer because gene expression patterns can help identify the cell's origin and potential treatment targets. Cancer is essentially a disease of altered gene expression. There are many proteins that are turned on or off (gene activation or gene silencing) that dramatically alter the overall activity of the cell. This can be due to a gene mutation or changes in gene regulation such as epigenetics, transcription, post-transcription, translation, or post-translation.
By comparing the gene expression in cancer cells with that of healthy cells, researchers can identify faulty genes and understand which pathways are affected. This knowledge enables the development of targeted drug treatments. For example, certain drugs may be designed to target a protein that is overexpressed in cancer cells, or therapies might aim to correct epigenetic changes that contribute to cancer development.