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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Predictive Immune Modeling of Solid Tumors
Published on: February 25, 2020
Harnessing tumor-agnostic biomarkers for precision medicine in lymphoma
Yixuan Lee1, Nicole-Ann Lim1, Rowena Lee Ying Kwan2
1Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract:
Tumor-agnostic therapies focus on shared molecular biomarkers independent of tissue of origin, allowing a single drug to target a common biomarker across different tumor types. Such targets with regulatory drug approvals include NTRK fusion, RET fusion, BRAF V600E mutation, FGFR1 rearrangement, HER2 overexpression, microsatellite instability or mismatch repair deficiency (MSI-H/dMMR), and high tumor mutational burden (TMB-H). Novel strategies against molecular alterations such as NRG1 fusion, ALK fusion, MTAP loss, KRAS G12C, TP53 Y220C and homologous repair deficiency (HRD) have also emerged. While the list of potential tumor-agnostic biomarkers continues to expand, contemporary efforts are still predominantly focused on solid cancers over hematological malignancies, including lymphoma, representing a peculiar and perhaps unwarranted strategic gap. In this review, we thus provide a narrative overview of currently approved tumor-agnostic therapies and highlight emerging biomarkers, addressing the need to focus on their potential application beyond solid tumors.
Insights
Tumor-agnostic therapies target common molecular biomarkers across cancers. This review highlights approved and emerging biomarkers, emphasizing their potential beyond solid tumors to include hematological malignancies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Tumor-agnostic therapies utilize shared molecular biomarkers, irrespective of cancer origin, enabling targeted treatments across diverse tumor types.
- Approved biomarkers include NTRK/RET fusions, BRAF V600E, FGFR1, HER2, MSI-H/dMMR, and TMB-H.
- Emerging targets encompass NRG1/ALK fusions, MTAP loss, KRAS G12C, TP53 Y220C, and HRD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a narrative overview of current tumor-agnostic therapies and approved biomarkers.
- To highlight emerging molecular targets for cancer treatment.
- To address the underrepresentation of hematological malignancies in tumor-agnostic therapy research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of approved tumor-agnostic therapies and biomarkers.
- Identification and discussion of novel molecular alterations and emerging targets.
- Analysis of research focus concerning solid versus hematological cancers.
Main Results:
- A comprehensive list of approved tumor-agnostic biomarkers and their associated therapies is presented.
- Emerging biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies are detailed.
- A significant focus on solid tumors contrasts with limited research in hematological malignancies.
Conclusions:
- Tumor-agnostic therapies represent a significant advancement in precision oncology.
- Expanding the application of these therapies to hematological malignancies is crucial.
- Further research is needed to bridge the strategic gap in treating blood cancers with tumor-agnostic approaches.
