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Overcoming implementation challenges of personalized cancer therapy
Funda Meric-Bernstam1, Gordon B Mills
1Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Unit 1484, Houston, TX 77030, USA. fmeric@mdanderson.org
Nature Reviews. Clinical Oncology
|August 2, 2012
Summary
Personalized cancer therapy uses molecular tumor data for tailored treatments. While promising, challenges like heterogeneity and drug availability limit its current broad application.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Personalized cancer therapy aims to tailor treatments based on individual tumor molecular profiles.
- The goal is to target specific genetic aberrations driving cancer growth for improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the principles and current state of personalized cancer therapy.
- To identify the key challenges hindering the widespread implementation of personalized cancer treatments.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on personalized cancer therapy.
- Analysis of technological advancements in high-throughput tumor characterization.
- Evaluation of the expanding landscape of molecularly targeted therapies.
Main Results:
- Advances in molecular profiling and targeted therapies are making personalized cancer treatment more feasible.
- Significant challenges remain, including tumor heterogeneity, molecular evolution, biopsy-related issues, drug development gaps, technical limitations, and regulatory hurdles.
Conclusions:
- Personalized cancer therapy holds significant promise but requires realistic expectations.
- Current applications offer increased survival for a subset of patients, with broader success contingent on overcoming existing obstacles.
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