New insights from the widening homogeneity perspective to target intratumor heterogeneity

Cancer Commun (Lond). 2018 May 4;38(1):17. doi: 10.1186/s40880-018-0287-y.

Abstract

Precision medicine has shed new light on the treatment of heterogeneous cancer patients. However, intratumor heterogeneity strongly constrains the clinical benefit of precision medicine. Thus, rethinking therapeutic strategies from a different facet within the precision medicine framework will not only diversify clinical interventions, but also provide an avenue for precision medicine. Here, we explore the current approaches for targeting intratumor heterogeneity and their limitations. Furthermore, we propose a theoretical strategy with a "homogenization" feature based on iatrogenic evolutionary selection to target intratumor heterogeneity.

Keywords: Acquired drug resistance; Homogenization; Intratumor heterogeneity; Plasticity; Precision medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genetic Heterogeneity*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Precision Medicine / methods*
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor