Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
08:46

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms

Published on: December 9, 2015

Personalized cancer medicine: molecular diagnostics, predictive biomarkers, and drug resistance

D Gonzalez de Castro1, P A Clarke, B Al-Lazikani

  • 1Molecular Diagnostics Department, The Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|January 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Targeted cancer drugs are improving treatment for genetically defined patients. Future strategies involve longitudinal genome sequencing and combinatorial therapies to overcome drug resistance and cancer evolution.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Advances in understanding cancer molecular pathogenesis enable targeted drug development.
  • Patient stratification based on genetic profiles is crucial for personalized medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss challenges in molecular diagnostics for cancer.
  • To describe predictive biomarkers for personalized cancer medicine.
  • To highlight resistance mechanisms to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors in lung cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on molecular diagnostics and biomarkers.
  • Analysis of resistance mechanisms in EGFR-targeted lung cancer therapy.
  • Envisioning future applications of omics technologies and combinatorial treatments.

Main Results:

  • Molecular diagnostics face general challenges in implementation.
  • Predictive biomarkers are essential for effective personalized cancer medicine.
  • Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors in lung cancer are subject to various resistance mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Overcoming cellular and molecular heterogeneity requires longitudinal genome sequencing and other omics technologies.
  • Combinatorial treatment strategies are necessary to prevent resistance driven by clonal evolution.
  • Personalized cancer medicine necessitates continuous adaptation to evolving tumor biology.

More Related Videos

Patient-Derived Tumor Explants As a "Live" Preclinical Platform for Predicting Drug Resistance in Patients07:42

Patient-Derived Tumor Explants As a "Live" Preclinical Platform for Predicting Drug Resistance in Patients

Published on: February 7, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...