Applying Genomics to Cancer

The application of genomics to cancer may seem straightforward, but the behavior of cancer is dependent on many different genes, how they interact and the conditions they create for disease to occur.

Although it is possible to identify a single gene that may signal a more aggressive type of disease, by analyzing a key set of genes that the tumor expresses we can gather far more specific and reliable information. With genomics, it is possible to evaluate the unique biology of each patient’s cancer and to predict the likely course of the disease for that individual. In turn, this knowledge makes it possible for physicians and patients to help individualize a treatment plan, which may potentially improve patient outcomes.

The key to effectively using genomics to improve cancer treatment and outcomes lies in determining which sets of genes and gene interactions affect different subsets of cancers. Studies can be performed to help us understand which patterns of gene expression within a tumor are linked to a response to specific  therapy or to the likelihood that the cancer will return or metastasize. These results can then be used to develop clinically validated tests—such as the Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay—that provide the genomic profile of an individual’s tumor. This information allows physicians to better understand whether patients are likely to benefit from treatments such as tamoxifen or certain chemotherapy regimens, or whether those patients are likely to experience a recurrence of their cancer.

The field of genomics is a dynamic area of research. It is growing and evolving very quickly as more and more researchers grasp the potential of this exciting branch of science. Experts in the field expect that genomics will play a role in each step of the cancer management process, as illustrated below.