Molecular targets in GI malignancies – A pathologist's perspective

Newer molecular diagnostics and improved understanding of cancer pathogenesis have identified multiple pathways that can be potentially targeted with the use of novel therapeutics in development. These developments have ushered cancer therapeutics in newer era of personalized medicine. Same is refle...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Satyajit Pawar, Atul Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijpmonline.org/article.asp?issn=0377-4929;year=2021;volume=64;issue=5;spage=43;epage=51;aulast=Pawar
Description
Summary:Newer molecular diagnostics and improved understanding of cancer pathogenesis have identified multiple pathways that can be potentially targeted with the use of novel therapeutics in development. These developments have ushered cancer therapeutics in newer era of personalized medicine. Same is reflected on current management strategies for advanced gastrointestinal malignancies. Molecular profiling for BRAF and RAS is standard for colorectal cancer while Her2 and PDL1 status is needed for planning therapy of advanced gastroesophageal cancers. Tissue agnostic markers like MSI, TMB and NTRK are making headways in therapeutic armamentarium. While newer targeted therapies against FGFR, EGFR, PI3K-AKT, DDR pathways are showing promising results in initial studies. Here we review traditional as well as upcoming molecular markers in field of GI malignancies, methods of testing and evidence for rational use in clinical practice.
ISSN:0377-4929