Between 1962 and 1985, cancer-related deaths in the United States rose by 8.7%, despite the use of aggressive chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy, highlighting the dangers of a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. An understanding of the genetic determinants of patients’ therapeutic response, it was believed, would enable doctors to develop individualized treatment programs, sparing more responsive patients from harmful overtreatment.
遗传学在癌症治疗方面被寄予厚望。1962—1985年间，尽管有了强力的化学药物和放射疗法，美国的癌症相关死亡数量仍增加了 8.7%，表明一刀切治疗方法的危险性。人们认为，了解病人治疗反应的遗传决定因素能让医生开发个性化治疗方案，让更多的反应患者免于有害的过度治疗。