Open AccessMolecular targets in GI malignancies – A pathologist's perspective
Author(s) -
Satyajit Pawar,
Atul Sharma
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
indian journal of pathology and microbiology/indian journal of pathology and microbiology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0974-5130
pISSN - 0377-4929
DOI - 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_1239_20
Subject(s) - medicine , targeted therapy , precision medicine , personalized medicine , colorectal cancer , cancer , clinical practice , bioinformatics , cancer research , oncology , pathology , biology , family medicine
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.