Role of radiation oncology in precision medicine

Precision medicine is a therapeutic model in which most diagnostic tests are used to find optional therapeutic approaches based on the genetic content of a person. Such tools applied in precision medicine are molecular diagnosis and radiotherapy. Current advanced photon-based radiotherapy techniques including IGRT, IMRT and Stereotyping Radiation Therapy (SRT), are close to physical level of forming high doses to target tissue volume. However there is still to improve motion control and imaging for radiotherapy. In the past century, radiation oncology, has developed individualized treatments based on anatomical information and clinical parameters. The goal of radiotherapy is to eliminate all stem cells in primary tumor and tumor lymph nodes or oligometastatic diseases, while limiting damage to natural tissues.Two major strategies will enable further widening of therapeutic window of radiation oncology in precision medicine. Technology based improvement of treatment conforming, including advanced guidance and particle therapy and novel concepts like biomarker-guided prescription combined adaptive treatment mediates. Biomarkers, including bio-imaging, which assess the presence and magnitude of resistance to radiation in tumors, are rapidly emerging ad leading to interventional trials. Unique radiotherapy, in addition to several valid biomarkers for dose administration and treatment planning, can enhance the degree of personalized treatment. Furthermore, radiotherapy based on bioassay tests in very effective for cancer stem cells eradication and distinctive from other methods. Therefore, radiation oncology has potential for personalized cancer treatment.

Keywords:

Precision medicine , Radiation oncology , Biomarkers , photon-based radiotherapy