Test Dictates Treatment

Scientists colour samples of a patient’s tumour by means of antibodies or DNA sequences. The coloured antibodies only stick, if specific proteins are present on the surface of the cancer cells. The sequencing reveals mutations in the genes of the cells.

The analysis indicates the characteristics of the tumour, helping doctors to pick the correct treatment. The method is already used, but scientists are constantly getting better at categorizing the tumours, and new medication customized for individual cancer types is coming up.