Molecular circuits of solid tumors: prognostic and predictive tools for bedside use

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Genomics

Background:

• Recent advances in cancer biology have identified molecular circuits driving solid tumor progression.
• Numerous cancer biomarkers have been discovered, but many require further validation for clinical use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers in breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers.
• To describe biomarker-associated clinicopathological features and molecular interactions.
• To discuss emerging biomarkers and novel high-throughput strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of molecular prognostic and predictive biomarkers.
• Analysis of clinicopathological presentation and molecular interactions for each biomarker.
• Discussion of emerging biomarker classes and high-throughput strategies.

Main Results:

• Identified key molecular biomarkers for six leading cancer types.
• Detailed associated clinicopathological presentations and molecular interactions.
• Highlighted emerging predictors like DNA repair defects and signaling pathway aberrations (MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR).

Conclusions:

• Few molecular biomarkers are currently in clinical practice, but a new generation is emerging.
• Biomarkers may redefine cancer classification beyond organ-based systems.
• High-throughput strategies are poised to supersede single-biomarker approaches.