Molecular Diagnostics in Oncology: Promising Better Clinical Outcomes with Patient-centric Approach

Abstract

Molecular diagnostics play a crucial role in oncology by analyzing DNA, RNA, and proteins to improve cancer detection, guide targeted therapy selection, and monitor disease progression. This approach enables personalized medicine by identifying specific genetic and molecular alterations, which helps clinicians provide more precise treatments and potentially improve patient outcomes. Molecular diagnostics play a pivotal role in modern oncology by enabling precise identification of hereditary cancer syndromes, guiding preventive care for mutation carriers, and informing tailored treatment strategies. Mutation profiling supports the use of targeted therapies such as EGFR, BRAF, ALK, ROS1, and PARP inhibitors. Liquid biopsy techniques—detecting tumor-derived DNA, RNA, or proteins in body fluids—offer non-invasive options for disease monitoring, early detection, and drug sensitivity analysis. Additionally, molecular markers aid in diagnosing cancers of unknown primary origin, while systematic tumor profiling continues to uncover novel DNA- and RNA-based biomarkers with clinical relevance.