Three breakthrough developments are rapidly changing the landscape of oncology, offering new hope for earlier detection and more effective, targeted treatments.
By Akshat Jain
• Liquid biopsies and synthetic biopsies revolutionize early detection
Traditional cancer diagnosis often relies on invasive tissue biopsies, but 2025 has seen a surge in the use of liquid biopsies — simple blood tests that detect cancer markers, making diagnosis less invasive and more accessible. Synthetic biopsies are also emerging, designed to prompt cancer cells to reveal themselves at the earliest stages, potentially enabling earlier intervention and improved outcomes.
• Next-generation precision medicines target “undruggable” cancers
A new wave of precision therapies is tackling mutations previously considered impossible to target, such as KRAS and other challenging oncogenes. Second-generation inhibitors and novel approaches like molecular glues are entering clinical trials, offering hope for patients with cancers that were once deemed untreatable. These advances are particularly promising for hard-to-treat cancers like pancreatic and certain lung cancers.
• Immunotherapy and cancer vaccines enter a new era
Immunotherapies, including CAR-T cell therapies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), are expanding their reach to more cancer types, including solid tumors. Meanwhile, cancer vaccines are progressing through clinical trials, aiming to train the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells across a wider spectrum of malignancies. These innovations are setting the stage for more personalized and durable cancer treatments.
(The author is Medical Director, Federal Hemophilia Treatment Center; Medical Director, Hemoglobinopathy Program for Children and Young Adults (Loma Linda, California), and American Society of Hematology Ambassador 2024-2025)
