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Somatic alterations as the basis for resistance to targeted therapies

Brian G Blair1, Alberto Bardelli, Ben Ho Park

  • 1Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA.

The Journal of Pathology
|October 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Targeted cancer therapies, driven by genetic discoveries, have advanced treatment. However, cancer

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Recent advances in genetics and genomics have identified novel somatically altered genes and pathways in human cancers.
  • This knowledge has led to the development of molecularly defined therapeutic targets over the past two decades.
  • The translation of laboratory findings into targeted therapies has significantly impacted cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the history and evolution of targeted therapies in cancer treatment.
  • To highlight examples of genetically defined cancer targets and their approved therapies.
  • To discuss the mechanisms of drug resistance, focusing on somatic genetic alterations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of targeted therapies in oncology.
  • Analysis of historical data on the development of cancer therapies.
  • Examination of resistance mechanisms, particularly somatic genetic alterations.

Main Results:

  • Targeted therapies have emerged as a significant advancement in cancer treatment.
  • Numerous genetically defined targets and corresponding therapies have been approved.
  • Drug resistance, driven by genetic instability and heterogeneity, remains a major challenge.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted therapies represent a successful translation of genetic research into clinical practice.
  • Understanding and overcoming drug resistance mechanisms is crucial for future cancer treatment strategies.
  • Somatic genetic alterations are key drivers of resistance to targeted cancer therapies.
Keywords:
cancerdrug resistancesomatic alterationstargeted therapies

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