The translational challenges of precision oncology

Oriol Pich; Chris Bailey; Thomas B K Watkins; Simone Zaccaria; Mariam Jamal-Hanjani; Charles Swanton

doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2022.04.002

The translational challenges of precision oncology

Cancer Cell. 2022 May 9;40(5):458-478. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.04.002. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Authors

Oriol Pich¹, Chris Bailey¹, Thomas B K Watkins¹, Simone Zaccaria², Mariam Jamal-Hanjani³, Charles Swanton⁴

Affiliations

¹ Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
² Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Computational Cancer Genomics Research Group, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.
³ Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Cancer Metastasis Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Department of Medical Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
⁴ Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK. Electronic address: charles.swanton@crick.ac.uk.

PMID: 35487215
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.04.002

Abstract

The translational challenges in the field of precision oncology are in part related to the biological complexity and diversity of this disease. Technological advances in genomics have facilitated large sequencing efforts and discoveries that have further supported this notion. In this review, we reflect on the impact of these discoveries on our understanding of several concepts: cancer initiation, cancer prevention, early detection, adjuvant therapy and minimal residual disease monitoring, cancer drug resistance, and cancer evolution in metastasis. We discuss key areas of focus for improving cancer outcomes, from biological insights to clinical application, and suggest where the development of these technologies will lead us. Finally, we discuss practical challenges to the wider adoption of molecular profiling in the clinic and the need for robust translational infrastructure.

Keywords: cancer evolution; cancer genomics; drug resistance.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Genomics
Humans
Medical Oncology
Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Neoplasms* / therapy
Precision Medicine
Proteomics

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding