The Role of Genomic Techniques in Predicting Response to Radiation Therapy

The understanding of the relationship between genetic variation and an individual patient's response to radiation therapy (RT) has gained significant ground over the past several years. Genetic markers have been identified that could ultimately serve as the foundation for predictive models in clinical practice, and that hold the potential to revolutionize the delivery of precision medicine in oncology. Single nucleotide polymorphisms, single genes, and/or gene signatures could ultimately serve as the basis for patient stratification in prospective clinical trials. Currently, molecular markers relevant to breast, lung, and head and neck cancers have been integrated into clinical practice and serve as predictive tools to guide systemic therapy. In the future, the use of predictive models based on genomic determinants may become standard practice in radiation oncology, offering the potential to further personalize the delivery of RT and optimize the therapeutic ratio.