Cancer and the omics revolution
Epstein, R.J.; Lin, F.P.
Australian Family Physician 46(4): 189-193
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8495 PMID: 28376570 Document Number: 694189
Internal medicine is in flux because of the 'omics revolution', with cancer medicine being a good example. Molecular technologies that detect alterations in gene-based structure or function are having an impact on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer. In this article, recent advances in gene-based characterisation of cancer are presented, and illustrated where possible by clinical applications. The research-based vision of precision medicine is now on its way to becoming a clinical reality. A key limiting factor is the small number of therapeutic options available for customisation, which contrasts with the rising abundance of omics-derived data. However, further translational progress is anticipated over the next decade.