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The role of companion diagnostics in the development and use of mutation-targeted cancer therapies

Nature Biotechnology volume 24, pages 985–995 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Among all the known differences between cancer and normal cells, it is only the genetic differences that unequivocally distinguish the former from the latter. It is therefore not surprising that recent therapeutic advances are based on agents that specifically target the products of the genes that are mutated in cancer cells. The ability to identify the patients most likely to benefit from such therapies is a natural outgrowth of these discoveries. Development of companion diagnostic tests for this identification is proceeding but should receive much more attention than it currently does. These tests can simplify the drug discovery process, make clinical trials more efficient and informative, and be used to individualize the therapy of cancer patients

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Figure 1: Potential targets and mechanisms of action of mutation-targeted drugs.

Kim Caesar

Figure 2: Uses and advantages of companion diagnostics in drug development and patient management.

Kim Caesar

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics and The Howard Hughes Medical Institute at The Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1650 Orleans Street, CRB1, Baltimore, 21231, Maryland, USA

    Nickolas Papadopoulos, Kenneth W Kinzler & Bert Vogelstein

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Correspondence to Nickolas Papadopoulos.

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Competing interests

Under separate licensing agreements between the Johns Hopkins University and Genzyme Corporation, Exact Sciences Corporation, Agencourt Bioscience Corporation and Alteris Therapeutics, Inc., Kenneth W. Kinzler and Bert Vogelstein are entitled to a share of royalty received by the University on sales of products related to research described in this review. The authors and the University own Genzyme stock, which is subject to certain restrictions under University policy. K.W.K is a consultant to and receives research funding from Genzyme. N.K. consults ad hoc for EXACT Sciences Corporation. The terms of this arrangement are being managed by the Johns Hopkins University in accordance with its conflict of interest policies.

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Papadopoulos, N., Kinzler, K. & Vogelstein, B. The role of companion diagnostics in the development and use of mutation-targeted cancer therapies. Nat Biotechnol 24, 985–995 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1234

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