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Rapid progress in the molecular characterization of cancer genomes has been enabled by technology and computational analysis, and large databases now exist. Novel cancer therapeutics have resulted that more precisely target the vulnerabilities revealed by genomic analysis. Emergent efforts that link the two, using machine learning approaches and circulating DNA from cancer cells, are furthering cancer diagnosis and precision medicine.
The rapid progression of KRAS(G12C) inhibitors from preclinical characterization to the clinic has radically changed the perception of the KRAS oncogene as an undruggable target. Here we discuss ongoing and future possibilities for developing therapies using these inhibitors in clinical settings.
In our Focus on 2021 in Review, the Nature Cancer team and leading experts look back at the biggest developments for the cancer field over the past 12 months.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted cancer care globally, the consequences of which are still not well understood. Through the lens of the impact in India, we emphasize the importance of continuing cancer care even during extenuating public health circumstances, and of strengthening health systems as a global priority.
Combination of approved immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of melanoma, but at the cost of high toxicity. After years of intensive research, inhibitors of the immune checkpoint molecule LAG-3 are now demonstrating promising results and favorable toxicity profiles in clinical trials in combination with inhibition of the checkpoint molecule PD-1.
Cancer multi-omics data has greatly expanded over recent decades, surpassing the human ability to extract meaningful information. The successful implementation of artificial intelligence systems into clinical pipelines to interpret complex datasets, and improve the outcomes of patients with cancer, demands strong validation using real-world evidence while also being mindful of ethical and social aspects.
Elisabete Weiderpass is an expert in cancer epidemiology and cancer prevention. She has been the Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization, since January 2019. She spoke with Nature Cancer about 2021 and the years ahead.
Recent advances in single-cell multiomics have provided holistic views of the multifaceted state of a cell and its interaction with the environment. The rapid development of these technologies has offered a unique opportunity to analyse the molecular and cellular heterogeneity in cancer, and could lead to better cancer diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
