Biomarkers for targeted therapy and treatment decision making

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Precision oncology relies on targeted therapies tailored to individual tumor molecular and genetic profiles.
• Biomarkers are essential for identifying patient subgroups likely to benefit from specific treatments and for monitoring treatment response and resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an in-depth overview of biomarkers in targeted cancer therapy and their role in treatment decision-making.
• To discuss established and emerging biomarkers, including liquid biopsy techniques and multi-omics approaches, for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of established biomarkers (e.g., EGFR mutations, HER2 amplification, BRAF mutations, ALK rearrangement, PD-L1 expression).
• Exploration of liquid biopsy techniques (ctDNA, cfDNA, exosomes, microRNAs) for minimally invasive monitoring.
• Discussion of general indicators (TMB, MSI, gene expression signatures) and integration of multi-omics, AI, and machine learning.

Main Results:

• Biomarkers are integral to directing targeted therapies and immunotherapies across various cancers.
• Liquid biopsies offer dynamic monitoring, early diagnosis, and therapeutic guidance.
• Multi-omics, AI, and machine learning are advancing biomarker discovery and validation.

Conclusions:

• Biomarkers are central to optimizing cancer treatment, reducing adverse effects, and enhancing patient outcomes.
• Despite challenges like tumor heterogeneity and resistance, biomarker-directed therapies promise to revolutionize cancer care through predictive, prognostic, and dynamically responsive treatment decisions.