[What biomarkers for the future? The point of view of the residents in oncology after the ESMO 2016 Congress]

Abstract

Since the advent of the HER2 biomarker allowing access to treatment with trastuzumab, we observe an explosion in research for biomarkers, in which the economic pressure linked to the costs of developing new products must not be overlooked, in order to better select the molecules to be developed and the patients who can benefit from them. Personalized medicine takes a little more space each year in the overall care of our patients and the search for specific indicators, has become unavoidable. Rapid identification of oncogenic changes, their therapeutic targeting and the anticipation of resistance or toxicity mechanisms is a challenge. From blood markers, proteins to tumor genomic profiling and new markers in medical imaging, clinicians, researchers, and patients all are looking for the Holy Grail. This article synthetizes oncology resident's reflexions during the ESMO congress which took place in Copenhagen from 7 to 11 October 2016. The aim was to select the most relevant or promising results for future clinical practice.

Keywords: ADN tumoral circulant; Biomarkers; Biomarqueurs; Circulating tumor DNA; Genomic profile; Médecine personnalisée; Personalized medicine; Predictive; Profil génomique; Prognosis; Pronostic; Prédictif.