What are the Implications of Gene Amplification in Cancer?
Gene amplification often plays a critical role in the development and progression of cancer. For example, the amplification of the HER2/neu gene is commonly observed in breast cancer and is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin), have been developed to specifically target HER2-positive cancers, illustrating the clinical significance of understanding gene amplification.