Use the following information to answer the next few questions.
Pharmacogenetics is an increasingly important discipline that uses genetic information to tailor the prescription of drug treatments to individuals. In the case of chemotherapy for breast cancer, for example, different patients need and/or respond to different treatments.
-Patients whose tumors are HER-2 positive respond to herceptin whereas other patients do not. Patients whose tumors have estrogen receptors will be best served if
A) their estrogen receptors are blocked by using RNAi.
B) their estrogen release is activated and/or elevated.
C) the estrogen receptors are blocked by other molecules that can use the same receptors.
D) they are given herceptin as well as estrogen.
E) they are given a complete hysterectomy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients whose tumors have estrogen receptors will be best served if the estrogen receptors are blocked by other molecules that can use the same receptors. This allows for the tumor to be starved of estrogen, which is a growth factor for breast cancer cells. RNAi is not used to block estrogen receptors, and elevating estrogen levels would be counterproductive. Giving both herceptin and estrogen would not be effective, as herceptin only targets HER-2 positive tumors. A complete hysterectomy may be an option for some patients, but it is not the best choice for all.

Use the Following Information to Answer the Next Few Questions