Final answer:
Molecular diagnostics in cancer play a significant role in various aspects, including diagnosis, treatment, and predicting response to therapies. They help identify oncogenes, detect DNA mutations, and screen fetuses for genetic disorders. Molecular diagnostics also aid in analyzing complex antigens, understanding antibody diversity, and monitoring cancer biomarkers for early detection and treatment monitoring.
Step-by-step explanation:
Molecular diagnostics play a crucial role in cancer diagnosis and treatment. They are used to identify oncogenes in biopsy samples, detect DNA polymorphism caused by point mutations, and screen fetuses for genetic disorders. Additionally, molecular diagnostics can be used to detect the presence of pathogenic organisms in blood or tissue samples and as primers for PCR. They also help in predicting the response to certain therapies and defining the general health status of the patient.
Furthermore, molecular diagnostics aid in analyzing mixtures of complex antigens, determining the structure of cell membranes and membrane proteins, and labeling and identifying specialized cells. They are also important in understanding the mechanism of antibody diversity generation at the DNA level. Moreover, monoclonal antibody-based assays replace the immuno-fluorescence assays in some cases.
Molecular diagnostics, particularly imaging techniques, are vital for the early detection of cancer. They help in identifying cancer biomarkers and monitoring molecular profiles to detect and treat cancer at an early stage. The information obtained from molecular diagnostics assists in determining the stage and precise locations of cancer as well as assessing the effectiveness of treatment plans.