Cancers (Aug 2024)

Advances in Personalized Oncology

  • Hiba Mechahougui,
  • James Gutmans,
  • Gina Colarusso,
  • Roumaïssa Gouasmi,
  • Alex Friedlaender

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16162862
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 16
p. 2862

Abstract

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Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) have catalyzed a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, steering the focus from conventional, organ-specific protocols to precision medicine. Emerging targeted therapies offer a cutting-edge approach to cancer treatment, while companion diagnostics play an essential role in aligning therapeutic choices with specific molecular changes identified through NGS. Despite these advances, interpreting the clinical implications of a rapidly expanding catalog of genetic mutations remains a challenge. The selection of therapies in the presence of multiple mutations requires careful clinical judgment, supported by quality-centric genomic testing that emphasizes actionable mutations. Molecular tumor boards can play an increasing role in assimilating genomic data into clinical trials, thereby refining personalized treatment approaches and improving patient outcomes.

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