Oncogene addiction

Cancer cells contain multiple genetic and epigenetic abnormalities. Despite this complexity, their growth and survival can often be impaired by the inactivation of a single oncogene. This phenomenon, called oncogene addiction, provides a rationale for molecular targeted therapy. The efficacy of this strategy requires novel methods, including integrative genomics and systems biology, to identify the state of oncogene addiction (i.e., the Achilles heel) in specific cancers. Combination therapy may also be required to prevent the escape of cancers from a given state of oncogene addiction.