The Unlikely Buddha

In the evolving landscape of cancer therapy, a paradigm shift is underway—one that moves away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward treatments customized for each patient’s unique disease. At the heart of this revolution is the use of tumor DNA to guide decisions, design therapies, and, in some cases, even create individualized treatments. The Science Behind Tumor DNA Analysis Every cancer begins with genetic changes—mutations that drive uncontrolled cell growth. These mutations are as unique as fingerprints, varying from patient to patient and even within different parts of the same tumor. By extracting and sequencing DNA from tumor biopsies, scientists can map out the genetic landscape of a cancer, identifying the specific alterations that fuel its progression. Modern sequencing technologies allow researchers to sift through billions of DNA base pairs, pinpointing mutations, gene fusions, and other abnormalities. This genomic profile offers a roadmap for se...