Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

8.1K

Database of genomic biomarkers for cancer drugs and clinical targetability in solid tumors

Rodrigo Dienstmann1, In Sock Jang2, Brian Bot2

  • 1Sage Bionetworks, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington. rodrigo.dienstmann@sagebase.org.

Cancer Discovery
|February 7, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Comprehensive genomic profiling reveals over 90% of cancer samples have targetable genetic alterations. Understanding these complex genomic landscapes is key to advancing precision cancer medicine and improving patient treatment decisions.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Precision cancer medicine aims to tailor treatments based on individual molecular profiles.
  • Genomic profiling identifies actionable targets for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of mutations and copy-number alterations in solid tumors.
  • To assess gene-drug targetability and its association with therapeutic actions.
  • To evaluate the impact of clinical trial access on treatment decisions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) samples.
  • Comprehensive genomic profiling to identify mutations and copy-number alterations.
  • Assessment of gene-drug targetability at varying stringency levels.

Main Results:

  • Over 90% of TCGA samples exhibit potentially targetable genomic alterations, often multiple.
  • Nearly 80% of variants in rarely mutated oncogenes have uncertain functional significance.
  • Access to targeted agents in early clinical trials could influence treatment for 75% of cancer patients.

Conclusions:

  • The genomic landscape of cancer is complex, presenting challenges in treatment prioritization.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the functional significance of many genetic alterations.
  • Large-scale molecular profiling and standardized biomarker reporting are crucial for precision cancer medicine.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer07:59

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Published on: September 8, 2023

1.9K
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo09:19

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: February 6, 2015

9.3K

Related Concept Videos

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...
9.2K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

1.8K
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...
98
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
72
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu01:29

Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu

Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...
132
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...
6.4K