Molekulare Onkologie: Entwicklungsperspektiven

Molecular analysis has revolutionized oncology by elucidating the genetic causes of cancer, thus contributing to the development of effective targeted therapies. The successes of molecular oncology and the emergence of clinically applicable high-throughput technologies, particularly next-generation sequencing (NGS), have brought about a paradigm shift from a morphological to a genetic understanding of cancer and prepared the ground for modern precision oncology.

The central challenge of precision oncology comprises using cancer molecular profiles for individualized clinical care. Which molecular diagnostic methods have already arrived in practice, and which will become relevant in the future? Can new molecular findings translate into precise, effective, and less toxic treatments compared to conventional therapies?

Based on a selective literature search, the current work identifies technologies that influence precision oncology, discusses associated translational aspects and relevant expert recommendations, and reviews current developments.

Next-generation sequencing enables comprehensive analysis of the cancer genome and transcriptome, providing unprecedented insight into the molecular basis of cancer. In addition, NGS facilitates the detection of measurable residual disease, providing an approach for monitoring disease kinetics, prognostic assessment, and treatment guidance. The increasing clinical relevance of epigenomics and proteomics requires establishment of new diagnostic methods to further improve the precision of cancer medicine.

Next-generation sequencing-based precision oncology has permanently changed the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Due to the continuous development of NGS technologies and their integration into clinical practice, the accuracy and efficacy of cancer diagnoses and treatment are expected to be further improved. Future approaches to personalized cancer medicine will additionally use epigenomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data as well as functional tumor profiles, and apply artificial intelligence to predict optimal treatment strategies. This promises a new dimension of precision oncology in which patients receive customized, effective, and tolerable therapies that improve their quality of life and survival rates.