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Building the Bridge: Molecular Imaging Biomarkers for 21st Century Cancer Therapies
Mark A Sellmyer1,2, Iris K Lee3,4, David A Mankoff3
1Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; mark.sellmyer@pennmedicine.upenn.edu david.mankoff@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Abstract:
Precision medicine, in which the molecular underpinnings of the disease are assessed for tailored therapies, has greatly impacted cancer care. In parallel, a new pillar of therapeutics has emerged with profound success, including immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and cell-based therapies. Nonetheless, it remains essential to develop paradigms to predict and monitor for therapeutic response. Molecular imaging has the potential to add substantially to all phases of cancer patient care: predictive, companion diagnostics can illuminate therapeutic target density within a tumor, and pharmacodynamic imaging biomarkers can complement traditional modalities to judge a favorable treatment response. This "Focus on Molecular Imaging" article discusses the current role of molecular imaging in oncology and highlights an additional step in the clinical paradigm termed a therapeutic biomarker, which serves to assess whether next-generation drugs reach their target to elicit a favorable clinical response.
Insights
Molecular imaging aids precision medicine in cancer care by predicting and monitoring treatment response. This approach helps assess if new therapies, like immunotherapies, effectively reach targets for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Imaging
- Precision Medicine
Background:
- Precision medicine tailors cancer therapies based on molecular disease understanding.
- Immunotherapies (checkpoint inhibitors, cell-based therapies) have shown significant success in cancer treatment.
- Predicting and monitoring therapeutic response remains a critical challenge in oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the current role of molecular imaging in oncology.
- To highlight molecular imaging's potential in predicting and monitoring cancer treatment response.
- To introduce the concept of a "therapeutic biomarker" for assessing next-generation drug efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current applications of molecular imaging in cancer care.
- Discussion of predictive and pharmacodynamic imaging biomarkers.
- Exploration of the "therapeutic biomarker" concept.
Main Results:
- Molecular imaging can serve as predictive and companion diagnostics by assessing therapeutic target density.
- Pharmacodynamic imaging biomarkers can complement traditional methods for evaluating treatment response.
- The "therapeutic biomarker" concept offers a way to evaluate drug delivery and clinical effect.
Conclusions:
- Molecular imaging is a valuable tool across all phases of cancer patient care.
- Integrating molecular imaging can enhance the effectiveness of precision medicine and novel therapeutics.
- The development of "therapeutic biomarkers" is crucial for optimizing next-generation cancer treatments.
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