It is very natural to worry and feel anxious when we see someone we know is facing the challenges of cancer. Do you find yourself searching for the best treatment plan for your relative? And wonder which treatment plan should be considered in this case? Do you want a perfect genetic insight for this cancer treatment? Genetic insights include a targeted and effective approach to personalised cancer treatments, for each individual. It involves the person’s genetic makeup. Karepedia is here to provide you with the complete genetic plan for the cancer treatment so that you can go for the best treatment plan.

Genetic Profiling

Genetic profiling or the genomic profiling is analysing the DNA, RNA, and other molecular markers in cells of the person, especially in cancer cells. It includes various key factors discussed below:

• Genomic profiling identifies specific variations in the DNA of the cells of the person.
• It provides different biological characteristics of the tumour such as its growth patterns and response to treatment.
• Genetic profiling can help predict how a tumour will respond to certain treatments, such as chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
• Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) provides comprehensive information about the genetic variations across the genome.

Personalised Medicine

Personalised medicine is an approach to medical treatment which involves the person’s differences in genes, and the lifestyle. It includes following factors:

• Precision medicine includes knowledge about an individual's genetic makeup, such as variations in DNA sequences, gene expression patterns, and epigenetic modifications.
• It further identifies the genetic mutations, and other molecular markers associated with the disease. It also provides treatment responses.
• Precision medicine provides the development of targeted therapies.
• Genetic mutations serve as indicators of disease status, treatment response, and prognosis, thus helping to find the perfect treatment plan.
• AI algorithms analyse the complex datasets, predict treatment outcomes, and help healthcare providers in making more informed decisions about patient care.
• Early detection of these biomarkers help in the required lifestyle modifications, or prevent surgery, to reduce the risk factor.

What is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a treatment that works on the body’s natural defences against cancer. It either enhances or restores it.

Some proteins coat the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors block these proteins, helping the immune system to attack cancer cells more effectively.

This therapy involves working on the patient's own T cells, thus enhancing their ability to recognise and kill cancer cells.

Interleukins and interferons are naturally occurring proteins that stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells directly.

Drugs like pembrolizumab, target immune checkpoint proteins and have shown great results in treating cancers, such as lung cancer.

These antibodies are designed to target specific proteins expressed on cancer cells, which leads to their destruction by the immune system.

Immunotherapy targets only the cancer cells and not the healthy tissues, reducing the risk of any type of side effects. Not all patients respond to immunotherapy, and response rates are different depending on the type of cancer.

Drug Development

Drug development includes new medications or therapies to market to treat according to the medical conditions.

Scientists find specific molecular targets that play a role in the disease process. Initial trials in a small group of healthy volunteers to assess the safety, and tolerability.

If the results of phase III trials are positive, the drug developer submits a New Drug Application (NDA) or Biologics License Application (BLA) for further approval.

Regulatory agencies go through the data from clinical trials and find out the benefits and risks of the drug, before its market approval.

The drug development process also involves high failure rates, with many drug candidates failing to demonstrate safety.

Monitoring and Adaptation

Continuous monitoring in hospital settings ensures early detection of complications. Healthcare providers adapt treatment plans based on monitoring data, and the patient feedback.

Monitoring tools and techniques, such as progress reports, and earned value analysis, provide details into project status and performance.

Agile and iterative project management methods work on flexibility and adaptability to changing environments.

Environmental scientists monitor air quality, water quality, biodiversity, and other environmental parameters to check ecosystem health and detect pollution.

Adaptive management frameworks include iterative cycles of planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment.

Businesses check on market trends, customer satisfaction, and operational performance to assess organisational health and look on areas for further improvement.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Various Challenges and Ethical Considerations are discussed below:

• Disparities in access to healthcare services, treatments, and medications based on socioeconomic status, and other factors.
• Ensuring that patients have enough information to make autonomous decisions about their healthcare, including risks, and benefits. It should also include a few alternatives.
• Protecting patient privacy and confidentiality of health information, such as electronic health records, genetic data, and complete medical information.
• Protecting personal data and intellectual property from unauthorised access.
• Addressing biases in algorithms, machine learning models, and AI systems.
• Bridging the gap in access to technology and digital literacy skills among different populations.
• Balancing profit motives with ethical obligations to employees, and the customers.