The Advance of Biomarker-Driven Targeted Therapies in Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1186

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
Interests: targeted therapy; cancer biology; biomarkers; tumor microenvironment; molecular biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
Interests: target therapy; chemoprevention; tumor microenvironment; cancer biomarkers; childhood cancer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
Interests: carcinogenesis; chemoprevention; transcription factors; cancer biomarkers; drug resistance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rise of biomarker-driven targeted therapies marks a pivotal moment in cancer treatment, ushering in personalized approaches that leverage the distinct molecular traits of tumors. This Special Issue delves into the forefront of biomarker identification, validation, and application within the realm of targeted cancer therapies. Ranging from genomic alterations to protein expression patterns, the unraveling of biomarkers empowers clinicians to stratify patients, anticipate treatment responses, and refine therapeutic strategies more precisely. Additionally, this edition aims to spotlight the dynamic landscape of precision medicine, showcasing innovative technologies and computational tools instrumental in biomarker discovery and clinical translation. By presenting cutting-edge research and clinical perspectives, this Special Issue aims at deepening our comprehension of biomarker-guided targeted therapies and their profound impact on both the tumor microenvironment and immune therapy, ultimately advancing patient outcomes in cancer care.

Dr. Tianshun Zhang
Dr. Qiushi Wang
Dr. Ann Bode
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • biomarkers
  • targeted therapies
  • precision medicine
  • cancer treatment
  • molecular profiling
  • personalized medicine
  • genomic alterations
  • therapeutic interventions
  • tumor microenvironment
  • immune therapy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2616 KiB  
Article
PPM1D Mutation as a Distinct Feature of Myeloid Neoplasms in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients: A Retrospective Analysis
by Heyjin Kim, Jin Kyung Lee, Young Jun Hong, Hye Jin Kang, Byung Hyun Byun and Seung-Sook Lee
Cancers 2025, 17(7), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17071185 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 240
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Myeloid neoplasms are the most common secondary blood cancer in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (BNHL) patients treated with cytotoxic therapies. We aimed to characterize the genetic and clinicopathologic features of myeloid neoplasms arising after B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (MN-BNHL) by comparing their features with [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Myeloid neoplasms are the most common secondary blood cancer in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (BNHL) patients treated with cytotoxic therapies. We aimed to characterize the genetic and clinicopathologic features of myeloid neoplasms arising after B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (MN-BNHL) by comparing their features with myeloid neoplasms developing after solid cancer (MN-SC). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathologic and genetic data of myeloid neoplasm patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2023, categorized as MN-BNHL or MN-SC. Further NGS analysis was performed on available bone marrow samples with missing genetic data. The genetic profiles of myeloid neoplasms between BNHL and solid cancer groups were compared. Results: Sixteen patients developed MN-BNHL. Among the 11 MN-BNHL patients undergoing NGS, all harbored tier 1 mutations. PPM1D mutations (PPM1Dms) were most frequent (73%), followed by DNMT3A (46%) and TP53 (36%). PPM1Dms were significantly more prevalent than in MN-SC (n = 21), where TP53 mutations were most common (64%) (p < 0.001). PPM1Dms often co-occurred with DNMT3A. They were associated with prior radioimmunotherapy (relative risk (RR): 3.3 and RR 3.57). MN-BNHL patients with PPM1Dms exhibited improved survival compared to those without (p = 0.0376), but this benefit was negated by the presence of TP53 mutations (p = 0.0049). Conclusions: PPM1Dms are a prominent genetic feature in MN-BNHL, suggesting a distinct role in its development compared to MN-SC. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the precise contribution of PPM1D and its interaction with other mutations in BNHL-related myeloid neoplasm development and prognosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advance of Biomarker-Driven Targeted Therapies in Cancer)
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12 pages, 911 KiB  
Article
Biomarkers of Survival in Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases Treated with Percutaneous Microwave Ablation
by Jakub Franke, Grzegorz Rosiak, Krzysztof Milczarek, Dariusz Konecki, Emilia Wnuk and Andrzej Cieszanowski
Cancers 2025, 17(7), 1112; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17071112 - 26 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value of easily obtainable biomarkers for patients undergoing percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for colorectal liver metastases (CLMs). Prior studies showed that simple biomarkers, such as the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value of easily obtainable biomarkers for patients undergoing percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for colorectal liver metastases (CLMs). Prior studies showed that simple biomarkers, such as the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as well as cancer-specific markers, like carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), might have a prognostic role in various malignancies; however, none of these were assessed in patients undergoing MWA for CLMs. Methods: Based on the simple laboratory results, which were determined prior to the ablation, several biomarkers, including the LMR, AGR, PLR, and NLR, were calculated. The log-rank test’s optimal cutoff points for continuous variables were determined. Subsequently, univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were utilized to determine the association between various features and overall survival (OS). Results: This study included 57 CLM patients with a mean age of 63 ± 12.5 years at the time of ablation with a mean follow up of 30.9 months. The univariable model demonstrated that a high level of CEA (cutoff: 29.1 ng/mL; HR: 3.70) and a high LMR (cutoff: 5.32; HR: 4.05) were related to worse OS, whereas a high NLR (cutoff: 2.05; HR: 0.31) and primary left-sided colon cancer (HR: 0.36) were positive prognostic factors. The multivariable regression model confirmed these findings, with the exception of the LMR, which was no longer significantly associated with OS. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of overall survival prediction and thus patient stratification based on easily obtainable biomarkers and clinicopathological features in CLM patients undergoing MWA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advance of Biomarker-Driven Targeted Therapies in Cancer)
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