Current status and perspectives of genetic testing in gastrointestinal cancer (Review)

Abstract

Genetic testing has become widespread in daily medical care for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. However, unlike breast cancer and non‑small cell lung cancer, in which person‑ alized medicine targeting various driver genes is standardized, the incidence of targeted gene abnormalities in GI cancers is low. Nevertheless, such abnormalities may be linked to therapeutic agents and the further development of therapeutic agents for personalized medicine for GI cancers is desired. A liquid biopsy is of great benefit in offering clinical decision support, in applications such as GI cancer screening, surgical interventions, monitoring disease status and enhancing patient survival outcomes, all of which would contribute to person‑ alized medicine. Germline genetic testing is required for