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Precision Oncology Comes of Age: Tumor-Agnostic Approaches

Colleen Lewis1, R Donald Harvey1

  • 1Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology
|February 18, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Tumor-agnostic treatments targeting high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and NTRK fusions are revolutionizing cancer care. Novel clinical trials and advanced testing methodologies are driving these precision medicine advances.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • The landscape of cancer treatment is shifting towards targeted therapies.
  • Tumor-agnostic approaches offer new hope for patients with specific genetic alterations.
  • High microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and NTRK fusions are key biomarkers for these novel treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the emerging field of tumor-agnostic treatment strategies.
  • To highlight therapies for patients with MSI-H or NTRK fusion-positive tumors.
  • To explain the role of clinical trial design and testing in advancing precision medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical trial designs supporting novel therapeutic development.
  • Discussion of diagnostic methodologies for identifying MSI-H and NTRK fusions.
  • Presentation of current and emerging tumor-agnostic treatment approaches.

Main Results:

  • Tumor-agnostic therapies, particularly for MSI-H and NTRK fusion-positive cancers, demonstrate significant clinical efficacy.
  • Innovative clinical trial designs are crucial for the rapid development of these targeted agents.
  • Advanced molecular testing enables the identification of eligible patient populations for precision medicine.

Conclusions:

  • Tumor-agnostic treatments represent a paradigm shift in oncology, moving beyond tumor location to molecular targets.
  • The development and application of MSI-H and NTRK-targeted therapies are expanding treatment options for diverse cancer types.
  • Continued advancements in clinical trial design and diagnostic testing are essential for realizing the full potential of precision medicine.

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