Precision oncology and molecular tumor boards

Precision oncology is a field of personalized medicine in which tumor biology forms the basis for tailored treatments. The preferred approach currently applied in clinical practice is based on the concept of malignant tumors as genetic diseases that are caused by mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors. On the one hand, these can be targeted by molecular drugs, while on the other hand, next-generation sequencing allows for comprehensive analysis of all relevant aberrations, thus enabling the matching of appropriate treatments across entities based on molecular information. Rational molecular therapies are developed and annotated with supporting evidence by molecular tumor boards, which have been established at various academic centers in recent years. Advancing precision oncology to a new standard of care requires improved applicability of personalized molecular therapies and thorough scientific evaluation of precision oncology programs.