Endometrial cancer is one the most prevalent gynecological cancers and, unfortunately, has a poor prognosis due to low response rates to traditional treatments. However, the progress in molecular biology and understanding the genetic mechanisms involved in tumor processes offers valuable information that has led to the current classification that describes four molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancers, such as genetic mutations, defects in the DNA mismatch repair pathway, epigenetic changes, or dysregulation in angiogenic or hormonal signaling pathways. The preclinical genomic and molecular investigations presented allowed for the identification of some molecules that could be used as biomarkers to diagnose, predict, and monitor the progression of endometrial cancer. Besides the therapies known in clinical practice, targeted therapy is described as a new cancer treatment that involves identifying specific molecular targets in tumor cells. By selectively inhibiting these targets, key signaling pathways involved in cancer progression can be disrupted while normal cells are protected. The connection between molecular biomarkers and targeted therapy is vital in the fight against cancer. Ongoing research and clinical trials are exploring the use of standard therapy agents in combination with other treatment strategies like immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy to improve outcomes and personalize treatment for patients with endometrial cancer. This approach has the potential to transform the management of cancer patients. In conclusion, enhancing molecular tools is essential for stratifying the risk and guiding surgery, adjuvant therapy, and cancer treatment for women with endometrial cancer. In addition, the information from this review may have an essential value in the personalized therapy approach for endometrial cancer to improve the patient’s life.
子宫内膜癌是最常见的妇科恶性肿瘤之一，且因对传统治疗反应率较低，预后往往不佳。然而，分子生物学的进展以及对肿瘤发生过程中遗传机制的理解，提供了宝贵信息，促成了目前将子宫内膜癌分为四种分子亚型的分类体系。本综述聚焦于子宫内膜癌发病机制中涉及的分子机制，如基因突变、DNA错配修复通路缺陷、表观遗传改变或血管生成及激素信号通路失调。通过现有的临床前基因组与分子研究，已识别出一些可作为生物标志物的分子，用于子宫内膜癌的诊断、预后预测及进展监测。除临床实践中已知的疗法外，靶向治疗作为一种新型癌症治疗手段，涉及识别肿瘤细胞中的特定分子靶点。通过选择性抑制这些靶点，可在保护正常细胞的同时，阻断癌症进展中的关键信号通路。分子生物标志物与靶向治疗之间的关联在抗癌斗争中至关重要。当前的研究和临床试验正在探索将标准治疗药物与免疫疗法、抗血管生成疗法等其他治疗策略相结合，以改善子宫内膜癌患者的疗效并实现个体化治疗。这一方法有望改变癌症患者的治疗管理模式。总之，加强分子工具的应用对于子宫内膜癌女性的风险分层、手术指导、辅助治疗及癌症治疗至关重要。此外，本综述中的信息对于推进子宫内膜癌的个体化治疗、改善患者生存质量具有重要价值。
Landscape of Endometrial Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Target Therapy
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家