Personalized medicine: Clinical oncology on molecular view of treatment

• Published in: World journal of clinical oncology Vol. 15; no. 8; pp. 992 - 1001
• Main Authors: Da Silva, Rafick Costa Dos Santos, Simon, Nathalia de Andrade, Dos Santos, André Alves, Olegário, Gabriel De Melo, Da Silva, Jayne Ferreira, Sousa, Naide Oliveira, Corbacho, Manuel Alvarez Troncoso, de Melo, Fabrício Freire
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 24.08.2024
• Subjects: Opinion Review
• ISSN: 2218-4333; 2218-4333
• DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v15.i8.992

Cancer, the second leading global cause of death, impacts both physically and emotionally. Conventional treatments such as surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have adverse effects, driving the need for more precise approaches. Precision medicine enables more targeted treatments. Genetic mapping, alongside other molecular biology approaches, identifies specific genes, contributing to accurate prognoses. The review addresses, in clinical use, a molecular perspective on treatment. Biomarkers like alpha-fetoprotein, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, programmed death-1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 are explored, providing valuable information. Bioinformatics, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence, revolutionizes the analysis of biological data, offering more accurate diagnoses. Techniques like liquid biopsy are emphasized for early detection. Precision medicine guides therapeutic strategies based on the molecular characteristics of the tumor, as evidenced in the molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Classifications allow personalized treatments, highlighting the role of trastuzumab and endocrine therapies. Despite the benefits, challenges persist, including high costs, tumor heterogeneity, and ethical issues. Overcoming obstacles requires collaboration, ensuring that advances in molecular biology translate into accessible benefits for all.Cancer, the second leading global cause of death, impacts both physically and emotionally. Conventional treatments such as surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have adverse effects, driving the need for more precise approaches. Precision medicine enables more targeted treatments. Genetic mapping, alongside other molecular biology approaches, identifies specific genes, contributing to accurate prognoses. The review addresses, in clinical use, a molecular perspective on treatment. Biomarkers like alpha-fetoprotein, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, programmed death-1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 are explored, providing valuable information. Bioinformatics, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence, revolutionizes the analysis of biological data, offering more accurate diagnoses. Techniques like liquid biopsy are emphasized for early detection. Precision medicine guides therapeutic strategies based on the molecular characteristics of the tumor, as evidenced in the molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Classifications allow personalized treatments, highlighting the role of trastuzumab and endocrine therapies. Despite the benefits, challenges persist, including high costs, tumor heterogeneity, and ethical issues. Overcoming obstacles requires collaboration, ensuring that advances in molecular biology translate into accessible benefits for all.