Cancer is basically a disease caused by genetic mutations and represents a complex picture due to some mutations that are resistant to treatment. Prof. Dr. Serdar Ceylaner emphasizes that genetic analysis of cancerous cells plays a vital role in diagnosis and treatment processes, and discusses in detail the importance of new genetic technologies in this field.
While many people around the world are struggling with cancer, data announced by the World Health Organization indicate that the number of cancer patients will reach 30 million by 2040. Stating that the Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) application, in which a comprehensive analysis of patients’ genetic information is performed, plays an important role in cancer diagnosis and determination of treatment options, Prof. Dr. Serdar Ceylaner said, “These developed technologies enable us to elucidate the genetic mechanisms of complex and challenging diseases such as cancer.”
Prof. Dr. Serdar Ceylaner made the following statement on the subject, “Cancerous cells carry various mutations in their DNA, unlike normal cells. These disrupt the growth, division and death mechanisms of cells and cause cancerous cells to spread throughout the body. Therefore, analyzing the genetic structure of cancerous cells is a very important step in cancer diagnosis and treatment.”
“With the WGS method, the DNA of the cell can be mapped”
Stating that genetic tests are laboratory methods used to detect cancerous mutations in DNA, Intergen Genetics and Rare Diseases Diagnosis and Research Center Founder Prof. Dr. Serdar Ceylaner said, “With the WGS method, the entire DNA of a cell is read and mapped. The genetic structure of possible cancerous cells is revealed in detail. Genetic changes such as copy number changes and structural variations of mutations found in cancerous cells are detected. Apart from WGS, genome-based technologies also provide great convenience to physicians in the genetic diagnosis of cancer and determination of treatment methods. For example, the number of DNA mutations in cancer cells can be measured with Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB). With genome-based TMB, the entire genome of cancer cells can be analyzed. It can also be used in treatment to predict the likelihood of responding to immunotherapy.”
“Patients with high TMB results may respond better to immunotherapy treatment”
Noting that immunotherapy helps the immune system fight against cancer by strengthening its natural defense mechanisms, Intergen Genetics and Rare Diseases Diagnosis and Research Center Founder Prof. Dr. Serdar Ceylaner concluded his words by saying that this treatment method, which allows the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells, is applied in different forms,
“For example, components such as vaccines, antibodies, cytokines, T-cells of the immune system or substances that mimic them can be used in immunotherapy. Patients with high TMB results may respond better to immunotherapy treatment. Patients with low TMB results also benefit less from immunotherapy. Other treatment options need to be evaluated for these patients.”
