Final answer:
Personalized medicine is an approach to cancer treatment that customizes therapy based on an individual's genetic makeup. By analyzing genetic data, doctors can create targeted therapies to combat cancer more effectively and with fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Personalized medicine is a revolutionary approach to treating cancer that involves tailoring treatments based on an individual's genetic profile. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all treatment plan, doctors and researchers analyze genetic data, including mutations and gene expression patterns, to prescribe a custom treatment plan specific to the patient's unique genetic makeup. This could involve the development of new drugs known as targeted therapies, which aim to attack cancer cells with minimal damage to healthy cells by focusing on specific proteins or mutations related to the cancer.
For example, in cases where a breast cancer tumor overexpresses the EGF protein, anti-EGF receptor medications may be prescribed for treatment. Understanding human genetics is fundamental to personalized medicine as it shapes the development of pharmacogenomics, where drug treatments are tailored to an individual's DNA, leading to significant breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
By considering an individual's genetic disposition, researchers can address the limitations of traditional cancer treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, which often harm healthy tissue alongside cancer cells. This new focus enables the creation of more effective and less harmful treatment protocols, illustrating the value of personalized medicine in the field of oncology.