Predictive Molecular Biomarkers in Targeted Therapy of Gastric Carcinoma and Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma

With the recent advancement of molecular targeting therapy, we are witnessing a paradigm shift in the role of pathology laboratories in the management of solid tumours. Pathologists not only continue to provide accurate pathological diagnosis and prognostic information, but also incorporate information about predictive biomarkers in the guidance of individualised treatment. Predictive biomarker study has become increasingly important to clinicians in formulating personalised therapies for their patients. Accurate determination of these predictive biomarkers has become the expected standard of care for cancer patients. Tailoring therapeutic regimens for advanced gastric carcinoma and metastatic colorectal carcinoma demonstrate the inevitable obligations for predicative biomarker study in the overall management of individual patients. In this review, we will discuss the biomarker analysis of HER2 status in advanced gastric carcinoma and KRAS mutation in metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Issues related to these biomarker determinations in the application of targeted therapy are illustrated.