ONS / ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certificate Initial Course Post Test
Question 6 of 60
Utilizing the presence of a biomarker when determining which targeted therapy is appropriate for a patient is known as:
A. chemoprevention.
B. immunosuppression.
C. precision oncology.
D. non-myeloablative therapy.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: C. Precision oncology
Explanation:
Precision oncology is a cutting-edge approach in cancer treatment that involves tailoring therapies based on the genetic, molecular, and biomarker profile of a patient’s tumor. The goal is to deliver the most effective treatment by identifying specific abnormalities or markers within cancer cells that can be targeted with specific therapies. This strategy contrasts with traditional cancer treatments, which tend to be more generalized and may not consider the unique biological characteristics of a patient’s cancer.
A biomarker is a measurable indicator of a biological condition or state. In oncology, biomarkers may include genetic mutations (e.g., EGFR, BRCA, KRAS), protein expressions (e.g., HER2), or other molecular signatures found in tumor tissue, blood, or other bodily fluids. These biomarkers can help clinicians predict how a tumor will respond to certain therapies. For instance, the presence of HER2 overexpression in breast cancer may indicate the effectiveness of HER2-targeted therapies like trastuzumab.
Using biomarkers to determine targeted therapy is foundational to precision oncology. This method improves outcomes by:
- Increasing the likelihood of treatment success.
- Minimizing unnecessary side effects from ineffective treatments.
- Potentially slowing disease progression.
The other options are not appropriate in this context:
- A. Chemoprevention refers to the use of drugs or substances to prevent cancer development in high-risk individuals.
- B. Immunosuppression involves reducing the strength of the immune system, often used in autoimmune diseases or organ transplants, not in determining cancer therapy.
- D. Non-myeloablative therapy is a form of conditioning used in bone marrow transplants that uses lower doses of chemotherapy or radiation to reduce toxicity but still allow donor cell engraftment.
Thus, C. Precision oncology is the correct term for using biomarkers to guide targeted cancer treatment decisions.
