What lies beneath: looking beyond tumor genetics shows the complexity of signaling networks underlying drug sensitivity.
The identification of "driver mutations" in cancers initiated rapid development of targeted drugs for the clinic. Despite promising outcomes initially in patients, the ultimate success of oncogene-targeted drugs has been hampered by the redundancy and remarkable complexity of cellular signaling pathways. Two studies in Science Signaling show that understanding these intricate networks and considering them during tumor classification and drug design can better predict drug response. These studies exemplify the potential of using systems analysis and computational modeling approaches to improve therapeutic strategies and outcomes in cancer patients.
Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
Vito
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Quaranta
Darren R
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Tyson
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015195:Drug Design; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents