Precision medicine in breast cancer (Review)

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Personalized Medicine

Background:

• Breast cancer exhibits significant heterogeneity, necessitating approaches beyond traditional one-size-fits-all treatments.
• Understanding diverse tumor subtypes and their specific genetic drivers is essential for effective therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the principles and advancements in precision medicine for breast cancer.
• To highlight how individualized diagnosis and treatment enhance therapeutic outcomes and patient quality of life.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing genetic testing (e.g., BRCA mutations) for risk assessment and treatment guidance.
• Employing molecular subtyping to direct therapies like hormonal or HER2-targeted treatments.
• Integrating big data, artificial intelligence, and liquid biopsies for enhanced treatment personalization and monitoring.

Main Results:

• Targeted therapies (HER2-positive, hormone receptor-positive) demonstrate improved efficacy.
• Immunotherapy shows promise, particularly for triple-negative breast cancer subtypes.
• Advanced technologies facilitate real-time tumor analysis and adaptive treatment strategies.

Conclusions:

• Precision medicine optimizes breast cancer treatment by targeting specific vulnerabilities.
• Ongoing research and emerging technologies aim to overcome challenges like accessibility and complexity.
• The ultimate goal is to improve treatment effectiveness, reduce adverse effects, and enhance patient quality of life.