Genetic Mutations and Epigenetic Modifications: Driving Cancer and Informing Precision Medicine

Figure 1

Retrospective and prospective identification of biomarkers and actionable targets can improve patient outcomes by allowing more precise therapeutic choices. (a) Traditional treatment of cancers by site of origin. (i) Patients with tumors from the same tissue of origin have typically been treated with the same therapeutic agent. (ii) Treatment outcomes from this type of therapy have been beneficial only in a subset of patients. (iii) With increasing availability of molecular testing, however, we are now retrospectively identifying biomarkers that can predict the outcomes of treatment based on the characteristics of their tumor. (b) Precise patient stratification considers the tumors and the molecular characteristics to determine the best treatment approach. (i) Molecular technologies can identify prospective biomarkers and actionable aberrations. (ii) This allows patients to be given therapies most likely to foster beneficial treatment. (iii) With patient stratification and precise application of therapies, beneficial outcomes are observed in a greater proportion of patients.

(a)

(b)