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Breast cancer in the era of precision medicine
Negar Sarhangi1, Shahrzad Hajjari2, Seyede Fatemeh Heydari2
1Personalized Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disorder with different molecular subtypes and biological characteristics for which there are diverse therapeutic approaches and clinical outcomes specific to any molecular subtype. It is a global health concern due to a lack of efficient therapy regimens that might be used for all disease subtypes. Therefore, treatment customization for each patient depending on molecular characteristics should be considered. Precision medicine for breast cancer is an approach to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease that takes into consideration the patient's genetic makeup. Precision medicine provides the promise of highly individualized treatment, in which each individual breast cancer patient receives the most appropriate diagnostics and targeted therapies based on the genetic profile of cancer. The knowledge about the molecular features and development of breast cancer treatment approaches has increased, which led to the development of new targeted therapeutics. Tumor genomic profiling is the standard of care for breast cancer that could contribute to taking steps to better management of malignancies. It holds great promise for accurate prognostication, prediction of response to common systemic therapies, and individualized monitoring of the disease. The emergence of targeted treatment has significantly enhanced the survival of patients with breast cancer and contributed to reducing the economic costs of the health system. In this review, we summarized the therapeutic approaches associated with the molecular classification of breast cancer to help the best treatment selection specific to the target patient.
Insights
Precision medicine tailors breast cancer treatment to individual molecular subtypes, improving patient outcomes. Tumor genomic profiling guides targeted therapies for better disease management and survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Personalized Medicine
Background:
- Breast cancer is a complex disease with diverse molecular subtypes, necessitating tailored treatment strategies.
- Current therapies lack universal efficacy across all subtypes, highlighting the need for individualized approaches.
- Advances in understanding molecular features have driven the development of targeted therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review therapeutic approaches for breast cancer based on molecular classification.
- To emphasize the role of precision medicine in optimizing breast cancer treatment selection.
- To guide clinicians in choosing patient-specific therapies based on tumor genetic profiles.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on breast cancer molecular subtypes and targeted therapies.
- Analysis of the impact of tumor genomic profiling on treatment selection and patient outcomes.
- Synthesis of information on precision medicine strategies in breast cancer care.
Main Results:
- Molecular classification enables customized treatment selection for breast cancer patients.
- Tumor genomic profiling is crucial for accurate prognostication and predicting treatment response.
- Targeted therapies based on genetic profiles have significantly improved patient survival rates.
- Precision medicine reduces healthcare costs by optimizing treatment efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Personalized treatment strategies based on molecular characteristics are essential for effective breast cancer management.
- Genomic profiling empowers precise diagnostics and targeted therapies, enhancing patient outcomes.
- The integration of precision medicine promises to revolutionize breast cancer care, improving survival and reducing the burden of disease.
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