Targeted Therapeutic Approaches in Advanced Gastric Cancer
Summary
Advanced gastric cancer remains a major global health challenge, with limited survival benefits from conventional chemotherapy. Precision oncology has ushered in targeted therapies directed at molecular aberrations and tumour microenvironment interactions. Key approaches include monoclonal antibodies against receptor tyrosine kinases such as HER2 and VEGFR2, small‐molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and immune‐checkpoint inhibitors. Patient selection relies increasingly on biomarker assessment—HER2 overexpression, FGFR2 amplification, MET dysregulation, Claudin-18.2 expression, microsatellite instability, and PD-L1 status—to optimise efficacy and limit toxicity. Combination strategies pairing targeted agents with chemotherapy or immunotherapy have shown synergistic benefits, while epigenetic regulators and signalling adaptors are emerging as resistance mediators and new targets. Ongoing efforts address tumour heterogeneity through serial molecular profiling and adaptive trial designs, with the ultimate aim of extending progression-free and overall survival in diverse patient populations.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Targeted Therapeutic Approaches in Advanced Gastric Cancer publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in targeted therapeutic approaches in advanced gastric cancer across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI): A small molecule that blocks kinase domains of growth factor receptors, preventing downstream signalling.
Monoclonal antibody: A laboratory-engineered protein that binds a specific antigen on tumour cells or vasculature to inhibit growth or recruit immune effectors.
Progression-free survival (PFS): The length of time during and after treatment that a patient lives without disease progression.
Combined positive score (CPS): A ratio assessing PD-L1 expression on tumour and immune cells to predict response to checkpoint inhibitors.
Epigenetic regulation: Modification of chromatin accessibility or DNA methylation affecting gene transcription without altering nucleotide sequence.
Biomarker: A measurable molecular feature used to predict treatment response, prognosis or disease subtype.
References
- BPTF Drives Gastric Cancer Resistance to EGFR Inhibitor by Epigenetically Regulating the C‐MYC/PLCG1/Perk Axis. Advanced Science (2023).
- KEYNOTE‐811: Potential to revise first‐line therapy for metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐positive gastric cancer. MedComm (2024).
- Predictive biomarkers in gastric cancer. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology (2022).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.