Can Gene Amplification Be Targeted Therapeutically?
Yes, gene amplification can be targeted therapeutically. In the case of cancer, drugs can be designed to specifically inhibit the activity of amplified oncogenes. For example, HER2-amplified breast cancer can be treated with drugs like trastuzumab that specifically target the HER2 protein. Additionally, gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 are being explored to potentially reduce or eliminate amplified genes.