Novel approaches such as pharmacogenetics and liquid biopsies in tumor treatment in the era of personalized therapy

Abstract

Objectives Current findings in the biology of tumors and also new tools for genome analysis have opened clinical perspectives in oncology, generally termed as ‘personalized medicine’. Pharmacogenomics examines how the benefits and adverse effects of a drug vary among patients in a target population by analyzing genomic profiles of individual patients. Tailored treatment to a given patient presenting with a given tumor is a must in these days. Despite outstanding results in colorectal cancer, lung cancer and melanoma, only a few predictive biomarkers are currently justified in routine clinical practice. Unfortunately so far there is still a gap between the growing number of identified deregulated pathways and their actual implementation as part of clinical routine. Our current focus is on ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters that contribute to development of resistance to anticancer drugs via ATP-dependent drug efflux [1,2]. The associations between the expression of ABC transporters and outcome of carcinoma patients, e. g. breast carcinoma patients, could elucidate some question in pathophysiology of the disease and contribute to new treatment strategies [3]. As long as endometriosis, characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity, is one of the most common gynecologic disorders in women of reproductive age and has many similarities with cancer, we focus on this disease as well. Endometriosis is an inflammatory, estrogen-dependent condition associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Decreased quality of life is the most important predictor of direct health care and total costs [4]. New interdisciplinary research proposals in the field of endometriosis research will contribute to its better understanding, earlier diagnosis and personalized treatment. Another issue of our research is the oncofertility. As long as chemotherapeutics, radiation, and surgery can impact the future fertility of men, women, and children with cancer the fertility impairment and loss due to cancer or its treatment is a significant survivorship consideration.