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Steps forward for cancer precision medicine

Roberto Salgado1,2,3, Helen Moore4, John W M Martens5

  • 1Department of Pathology, Gasthuiszusters Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium.

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|November 25, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Genomic analyses enable personalized cancer treatments, but challenges remain in making these targeted therapies standard practice. Further steps are needed to integrate tumor genomic signatures into routine clinical care for all patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genomics
  • Translational Medicine

Background:

  • Advances in targeted anticancer drugs and affordable genomic analyses are increasing patient demand for personalized cancer treatments.
  • Genomic profiling of tumors is becoming more accessible, raising expectations for tailored therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the challenges and necessary steps for implementing tumor genomic signature-based personalized cancer treatments into routine clinical practice.
  • To identify key considerations for the widespread adoption of precision oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current challenges in precision oncology.
  • Discussion of strategies for integrating genomic data into clinical decision-making.

Main Results:

  • Several hurdles exist in translating genomic insights into routine patient care.
  • Specific steps are required to overcome these challenges and facilitate the adoption of personalized cancer therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Bringing personalized cancer treatment based on tumor genomic signatures into routine practice requires addressing practical and systemic challenges.
  • Successful implementation necessitates a coordinated approach involving clinicians, researchers, and healthcare systems.

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