Question

Targeted therapies are used in patients with a set gene expression pattern. A targeted therapy that prevents the activation of the estrogen receptor in breast cancer would be beneficial to which type of patient?

a) Patients with estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer
b) Patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
c) Patients with metastatic breast cancer
d) Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer

Answer 1

A targeted therapy that prevents the activation of the estrogen receptor in breast cancer is most beneficial for patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Targeted therapies in cancer treatment are specifically designed to counteract particular molecular abnormalities present within the tumor. A targeted therapy that prevents the activation of the estrogen receptor would be most beneficial to patients with a lot of the estrogen receptor expressed in their tumor, meaning patients who have estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Because this therapy is aimed at stopping the activity of the estrogen receptor, it would not be effective in patients who are estrogen receptor-negative or whose tumors have no estrogen receptor expressed.