Journal: Cancer discovery
This publication is a 2025 year-in-review of advances in precision oncology. It highlights:
- Expanded indications for existing targeted agents: Multiple already-approved precision oncology drugs gained new, biomarker-driven indications, underscoring the maturing impact of targeted therapy across additional tumor types and molecular subsets.
- Novel targeted agents, including “undruggable” targets: Early data are presented for new molecules directed at both classical signaling pathways and previously considered undruggable targets, reflecting progress in drug design and target validation.
- Growth of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) and PROTACs: The field continues to move beyond simple inhibitors, with ADCs and proteolysis-targeting chimeras being refined as potent, mechanism-driven strategies to selectively deliver cytotoxics or degrade disease-driving proteins.
- Blood-based early detection methodologies: Multiple liquid biopsy and blood-based platforms are emerging for early cancer detection, suggesting a near-term shift toward less invasive screening and earlier-stage diagnosis.
- Nontraditional biomarkers: The definition of actionable biomarkers is broadening beyond classic genomic alterations to include novel or composite markers that may better predict response or resistance.
- Integration of artificial intelligence: AI-based tools are increasingly used to interpret complex multi-omic and clinical datasets, aiming to generate more precise, individualized treatment insights.
Overall, the article portrays 2025 as a year of consolidation and diversification in precision oncology, with significant steps toward earlier detection, broader biomarker use, and more sophisticated therapeutic modalities.