Personalized management of patients with solid cancers: moving from patient characteristics to tumor biology

Abstract

Purpose of review: In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in the diagnosis as well as the treatment of solid tumors. This review will detail some of the recent findings that led to better subtyping and treatment of cancers, some of which were historically refractory.

Recent findings: Advances in molecular biology have recently led to the rapid development of personalized cancer management. Molecular markers and gene signatures allow better risk definition and treatment prediction, thus, avoiding 'wasted toxicity'. Recent understandings in disease pathways are giving new hope to treatment of hard-to-treat cancers such as melanoma, subtypes of nonsmall cell lung cancer and several orphan tumors.

Summary: This progress transposed from lab to bedside has made personalized cancer care a reality. In addition, this concept is being integrated into clinical trial designs with the enrolment of molecularly selected patients, hopefully leading to high rates of success.