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Beyond one gene, one target: Next-generation precision oncology

Vivek Subbiah1, Razelle Kurzrock2

  • 1Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.

Trends in Cancer
|June 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Single biomarker-drug strategies in precision oncology show limited response rates. Future advancements require individualized combination therapies tailored to cancer complexity and enhanced biomarker matching for better patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genomics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The Drug Rediscovery Protocol implemented nationwide biomarker-guided, off-label precision oncology.
  • Current outcomes with single biomarker-drug strategies show a plateau, with response rates around 15.7%.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of single biomarker-drug strategies in precision oncology.
  • To highlight the need for advanced therapeutic approaches in complex cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of nationwide data from the Drug Rediscovery Protocol.
  • Review of outcomes from a decade of precision oncology studies.

Main Results:

  • A response rate of 15.7% was observed, consistent with previous studies.
  • A ceiling effect was identified for single biomarker-drug combinations.

Conclusions:

  • Single biomarker-drug approaches in precision oncology have limitations.
  • Future efficacy gains depend on individualized combination therapies and comprehensive biomarker matching, aligning with the I-PREDICT framework.
Keywords:
biomarkerscancergenomicsprecisiontargeted therapy

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