Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc fka ARIA

[oldchemist4]

Can I call a third-party unilateral truce?

TKIs do not alter a person's genomel (at least, let's hope not!) But they do alter the expression of genes in a person's genome. So, it is correct to say that response to the drug is "genetic" in mechanism, but it is equally correct to say it does not alter genetic material.

We are all used to thinking of drugs that directly affect the target - think steroids or antibiotics or antidepressants. TKIs (and other drugs) affect gene expression, and it is the resulting cascade of cellular events (on or off) that results gives the therapeutic response. Even paclitaxel could be considered to have a "genetic mechanism" as it prevents cells from properly re-distributing their genetic material during cell division (so they die), but it certainly does not affect the genome.