The Medical Advisor

In the ever-evolving field of oncology, understanding genetics and genomics is crucial for patients, families, and healthcare providers alike. Genetics focuses on the study of genes and their role in inheritance—how certain traits or conditions are passed from one generation to the next. Genetic testing identifies inherited mutations present in every cell of the body since birth (known as germline testing). This can be performed via a blood test, cheek swab, or saliva sample. In cancer care, it's vital because it detects inherited predispositions to specific cancers, such as those linked to BRCA1/2, ATM, PALB2, CHEK2, BRIP1, Lynch syndrome, and others. These insights inform treatment choices, surveillance strategies, risk-reduction measures, and family testing recommendations. Genomics, on the other hand, examines a person's entire genome. In cancer, genomic testing analyzes the tumor cells to pinpoint gene or protein alterations that distinguish them from healthy cells. By seq...

CAR T-cell therapy (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell) is a type of immunotherapy where doctors collect immune cells, modify them in a laboratory, and provide them the power to easily recognize and kill cancer cells. When infused into a patient, the cells get multiplied and stay in the body as “living drugs.” This article provides a comprehensive list of CAR-T therapy companies worldwide. Read on to learn more about innovative CAR-T cell therapy companies and the technologies they are using to fight cancer. CAR-T Cell Therapy Industry In 1987, Israeli immunologist Dr. Zelig Eshhar from the Weizmann Institute of Science developed the first “chimeric antigen receptor” (CAR), laying the foundation for modern CAR-T cell therapy. CARs are synthetic, engineered receptor proteins designed in the laboratory and do not exist naturally in the human body. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy involves genetically modifying a patient’s own T cells to express these engineered receptors, e...