Gastric molecular classification and practice in immunotherapy

Abstract

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy with a high incidence worldwide; the prevalence of GC is relatively higher in China than in other countries. Treatment of advanced GC has been slow to develop due to lack of a proper classification system to guide clinical practice. With the development of molecular biology techniques, the molecular classification of GC has been established and may have applications in guiding precise and personalized therapy. To date, three or four molecular classifications for GC have been recognized; these include Singapore, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network, and Asian Cancer Research Group (ACRG) classifications. Here, we review the development of molecular classifications and characteristics of different subtypes, and discuss the applications of molecular classifications in clinical practice, with a focus on immunotherapy.