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Review
. 2021 Oct 18;13(20):5216.
doi: 10.3390/cancers13205216.

Molecular Targets for Gastric Cancer Treatment and Future Perspectives from a Clinical and Translational Point of View

Justus Körfer  1 , Florian Lordick  1 , Ulrich T Hacker  1
Affiliations
Review

Molecular Targets for Gastric Cancer Treatment and Future Perspectives from a Clinical and Translational Point of View

Justus Körfer et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Systemic treatment comprising chemotherapy and targeted therapy is the standard of care in advanced/metastatic gastric cancer. Comprehensive molecular characterization of gastric adenocarcinomas by the TCGA Consortium and ACRG has resulted in the definition of distinct molecular subtypes. These efforts have in parallel built a basis for the development of novel molecularly stratified treatment approaches. Based on this molecular characterization, an increasing number of specific genomic alterations can potentially serve as treatment targets. Consequently, the development of promising compounds is ongoing. In this review, key molecular alterations in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers will be addressed. Finally, the current status of the translation of targeted therapy towards clinical applications will be reviewed.

Keywords: gastric cancer; gastroesophageal cancer; immunotherapy; molecular subtypes; personalized therapy; targeted therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

F.L. declares the following conflict of interests: Bristol Myers Squibb (research funding, honoraria), Merck Sharp and Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (research funding, honoraria), Amgen (honoraria), Astellas Pharma, Inc. (honoraria), AstraZeneca (honoraria), Eli Lilly (honoraria) Elsevier (honoraria), Incyte (honoraria), Medscape (honoraria), MedUpdate (honoraria), Novartis (honoraria), Roche (honoraria), Servier (honoraria), Springer Nature (honoraria), StreamedUp! (honoraria), Zymeworks (honoraria). J.K. and U.T.H. declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Molecular classification of gastric cancer into distinct subtypes according to TCGA and ACRG.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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