The Path(way) Less Traveled: A Pathway-Oriented Approach to Providing Information about Precision Cancer Medicine on My Cancer Genome

Abstract

This perspective describes the motivation, development, and implementation of pathway-based content for My Cancer Genome, an online precision medicine knowledge resource describing clinical implications of genetic alterations in cancer. As researchers uncover more about cancer pathogenesis, we are learning more not only about the specific genes and proteins involved but also about how those genes and proteins interact with others along cell signaling pathways. This knowledge has led researchers and clinicians to begin to think about cancer therapy using a pathway-based approach. To facilitate this approach, My Cancer Genome used a list of more than 800 cancer-related genes to identify 20 cancer-relevant pathways and then created content focused on demonstrating the therapeutic relevance of these pathways.

Figure 1

Cancer-relevant pathway map. This figure depicts the names of the most cancer-relevant pathways on My Cancer Genome and their sites of action within the tumor cell. For example, the G-protein signaling pathway commences at the cell membrane and then transduces downstream signals within the tumor cell. Individual pathway figures for each cell signaling pathway can be found on the My Cancer Genome website at http://www.MyCancerGenome.org/content/pathways. Reprinted, with permission, from My Cancer Genome. Copyright 2016 Vanderbilt University.