Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
Patient-derived Orthotopic Xenograft Models for Human Urothelial Cell Carcinoma and Colorectal Cancer Tumor Growth and Spontaneous Metastasis
Published on: May 12, 2019
[Molecular Tumour Boards for Urological Tumours: Hope or Disappointment?]
Nadine Therese Gaisa1,2, Markus Eckstein3, Jozefina Casuscelli4
1Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
Abstract:
In addition to the traditional, evidence-based, guideline-driven 'one-size-fits-all' treatment approach, personalised oncological therapy has been gaining increasing importance over the past decade. The central element in this process is a comprehensive molecular pathological analysis of the patient's tumour tissue, followed by interdisciplinary evaluation of the results and their translation into a patient-specific, therapeutic strategy within the framework of the molecular tumour board. These specialised molecular tumour boards are associated with substantial financial, time and personnel resources, as well as highly specialised expertise, and are therefore typically established only at university hospitals or major cancer centres. Despite the high prevalence of urological tumours, very few uro-oncological patient cases are discussed in the molecular tumour boards. In addition, the balance between the resources required and the benefits is often viewed critically. This review article aims to outline the target group, purpose, funding, and operational structure of molecular tumour boards in order to critically assess the situation and effectiveness in uro-oncology.
Insights
Personalised oncological therapy relies on molecular tumour boards (MTBs). This review critically assesses MTB effectiveness and resource allocation in uro-oncology, given their limited use despite high cancer prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Genomics
Background:
- Personalized oncological therapy is increasingly important.
- Molecular tumor boards (MTBs) are central to personalized treatment via comprehensive tumor analysis and interdisciplinary evaluation.
- MTBs require substantial resources and expertise, limiting their establishment to major centers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the target group, purpose, funding, and operational structure of MTBs.
- To critically assess the situation and effectiveness of MTBs in uro-oncology.
- To address the underrepresentation of urological cases in MTBs and the resource-benefit balance.
Main Methods:
- Review article.
- Analysis of MTB operational structures.
- Assessment of resource allocation and benefits in uro-oncology.
Main Results:
- MTBs are resource-intensive and typically found in specialized centers.
- Urological tumor cases are infrequently discussed in MTBs.
- The cost-benefit ratio of MTBs in uro-oncology is often critically evaluated.
Conclusions:
- MTBs are crucial for personalized cancer care but face resource challenges.
- There is a need to optimize MTB integration and resource utilization in uro-oncology.
- Further evaluation is needed to enhance MTB effectiveness for urological malignancies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
02:07Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...