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Published on: May 3, 2021
The pharmacogenomics of osteosarcoma
1Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Orthopaedic Rizzoli Institute, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common malignant tumor of bone, is presently treated with multidrug neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols, which allow to cure 60-65% of patients but also induce toxicity events that cannot be predicted or efficiently prevented. The identification and validation of pharmacogenomic biomarkers is, therefore, absolutely warranted to provide the bases for planning personalized treatments with the aim to increase the therapeutic benefits and to avoid or limit unnecessary toxicities. As several targeted therapies against molecular and immunological markers in OS are presently under clinical investigation, it may be speculated that some new agents for innovative treatments may emerge in the next years. However, the real improvement of therapeutic perspectives for OS is strictly connected to the identification of pharmacogenomic biomarkers that may stratify patients in responders or non-responders and identify those individuals with higher susceptibility to treatment-associated toxicity. This review provides an overview of the pharmacogenomic biomarkers identified so far in OS, which appear to be promising candidates for a translation to clinical practice, after further investigation and/or prospective validation.
Insights
Identifying pharmacogenomic biomarkers for osteosarcoma (OS) is crucial. These biomarkers can personalize chemotherapy, improving outcomes and reducing toxicities for bone cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacogenomics
- Bone Cancer Research
Background:
- Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone malignancy.
- Current chemotherapy cures 60-65% of patients but causes unpredictable toxicities.
- Need for personalized treatments to enhance efficacy and minimize adverse events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review identified pharmacogenomic biomarkers in OS.
- To highlight biomarkers with potential for clinical translation.
- To support personalized medicine in osteosarcoma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pharmacogenomic studies in osteosarcoma.
- Analysis of identified biomarkers for OS treatment.
- Assessment of biomarker potential for patient stratification and toxicity prediction.
Main Results:
- Several pharmacogenomic biomarkers have been identified in OS.
- These biomarkers show promise for predicting treatment response.
- Potential to identify patients at higher risk of treatment-associated toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacogenomic biomarkers are essential for personalized osteosarcoma therapy.
- Further validation is needed for clinical application.
- Biomarkers can improve therapeutic benefits and reduce OS treatment toxicity.
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