Genetics plays a crucial role in cancer growth and treatment decisions. Genetic testing enables healthcare practitioners to identify specific mutations, tailor treatment plans, and optimize outcomes. 

Specific genetic mutations can increase an individual's risk of developing cancer. Additionally, genetics can influence how cancer responds to treatment. However, precision medicine can help with more targeted and effective treatment, potentially improving patient prognosis.

Traditional cancer treatment tends to use a cookie-cutter approach for cancer treatment. So far, this has essentially meant using surgery for tumor removal and chemotherapy or radiation to kill cancer cells. However, it is now a well-known fact that treating cancer with chemotherapy or radiation also kills healthy cells and results in many side effects.

The good news is that cancer research has now progressed to allow scientists to extract and analyze your cancer cells and learn about their genetic makeup. While most cells in the human body have similar or identical genes, cancer cells have mutations that allow them to grow into tumors.

Moreover, one person’s cancer cells are likely to have different genetic mutations than those in another person’s cancer. 

Your genes are found within the DNA of every cell in your body. Each gene carries the code to create a particular protein, and each protein serves a specific role in the cell. Therefore, genes provide instructions for the cell to produce the proteins necessary for it to function. 

When cells multiply, these genes are copied. However, if there are errors in this copying process, genetic mutations occur. These mutations can originate from our parents, who pass down our DNA (inherited gene changes), or they can develop later in life (acquired genetic changes). 

Some people carry genetic variations inherited from their parents that predispose them to a higher risk of developing cancer. For example, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. 

These inherited mutations can be present in genes known as oncogenes, which promote cell growth, or tumor suppressor genes, which regulate and inhibit cell growth. When mutations occur in these genes, the balance that controls normal cell growth is disrupted, increasing the likelihood of cancer.

Exposure to environmental factors, lifestyle choices, or simply the result of errors during cell division can lead to acquired genetic changes in normal cells, transforming them into cancer cells. These mutations can grant growth advantages to the cells, allowing them to evade the body's natural control mechanisms, leading to cancerous tumors.

While some gene mutations may be harmless, others can lead to problems. Since cancer cells are essentially altered versions of normal cells, some genetic mutations might make a person more vulnerable to developing specific cancers. 

By analyzing the genes in cancer cells, researchers can understand the mutations that drive tumor growth. Genetic testing can identify these mutations and help determine appropriate preventive measures or early detection strategies.

This information helps identify specific changes in the genes unique to a patient’s cancer, enabling doctors to select targeted therapies that address the mutations.

For patients with a cancer diagnosis, specific gene changes can influence treatment prognosis. This means that genetic testing can show how their cancer differs from that of another cancer patient who may not have the same gene alteration(s).

Information on genetic mutation can also indicate how well the cancer might respond to a particular treatment. While traditional cancer treatments are often uniform for a specific type of cancer, the gene changes in the cancer cells can vary between individuals with the same cancer type. Therefore, responses to the same drug may differ among patients with the same cancer type. 

Cancer tests, such as the ones offered by RGCC, test for such genetic mutations, providing insights into whether a patient’s cancer might respond more favorably to one drug over another.

Instead of employing a one-size-fits-all approach, our practitioners aim to target the specific genetic aberrations in a patient's cancer cells. This involves identifying mutations in genes that drive the cancer's growth and survival.

At RGCC, the genetic information derived from liquid biopsies is crucial in crafting individualized treatment plans. Our practitioners consider the unique genetic profile of both the patient and their cancer when deciding on the most suitable interventions. This personalized approach improves the likelihood of treatment success.

Our proprietary CAMBISeq® test can help detect even the rarest gene mutations from your blood sample. Practitioners can employ CAMBISeq® to identify variants in up to 500 genes and use them as biomarkers to assess a patient's sensitivity to various therapies, including immunotherapy. 

The test’s remarkable sensitivity becomes particularly crucial in cases where conventional first-line therapies have been exhausted. In such instances, CAMBISeq® can help determine if a patient may respond favorably to advanced treatment options, such as immunotherapy, targeted therapies, or clinical trials as additional treatment options.

By uncovering the unique genetic mutations within a patient's cancer, this test helps personalize treatment decisions toward successful cancer care.

Discover groundbreaking cancer testing solutions pioneered by RGCC, which throw light on the path toward better cancer care. We offer a paradigm shift in cancer care technologies and protocols.

Our state-of-the-art research centers employ advanced tests and protocols to offer a comprehensive yet personalized view of each patient’s genetics, physiology, and immune profiles. 

Our mission is to empower patients with unique insights into their cancer biology, guiding them toward success in their cancer journey.

Get in touch today to start your journey to empowering information for your cancer treatment by contacting us online.