Novel diagnostic techniques: Genomic, proteomic and systems biology approaches

Abstract Many cancer types still cause mortality because of late and/or wrong diagnosis. Cancer is a heterogeneous disease of which prognosis, prediction, and treatment cannot be easily achieved. This is why standardized cancer treatment may not be effective, even in members of the same family. Therefore, the necessity of applying personalized cancer therapies has emerged. Molecular diagnostics aim to get patient specific information by genomics-based, proteomics-based molecular profiling assays and systems biology approaches. Cancer theranostics aim to decrease the latencies in treatment by combining diagnosis and therapy. The main objectives of cancer theranostics include identification of novel biomarkers for molecular diagnosis of different cancer types; developing molecular imaging probes and new techniques for early detection of cancer; and utilizing nanotechnology and molecular imaging for both imaging and treatment. With the appropriate applications in personalized oncology, more accurate diagnosis and therapies will be achieved in the right time, to the right cancer patient. To succeed in this approach, the enhancement of theranostic biomarkers is crucial. Advances in molecular biology techniques, such as genome sequencing and omics technologies, provide high-throughput data on the underlying molecular pathways of different cancer types. In accordance with the developments in these tools, more reliable and novel molecular biomarkers can be designated which may be more effective in cancer diagnosis and treatment.