Transitioning from Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors to Precision Oncology

Presentation Description / Summary: Targeted therapies have reshaped veterinary oncology since the introduction of toceranib; however, their clinical application has often remained empiric rather than truly individualized. This session explores the transition from traditional, generalized use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) toward a precision oncology framework, emphasizing how molecular and protein-level biomarkers can support more rational, patient-specific treatment decisions.
The lecture will begin with a clinically oriented overview of commonly used TKIs—including sorafenib, lapatinib, and trametinib—focusing on their therapeutic positioning, key signaling pathways, and characteristic, drug-specific toxicity profiles relevant to clinical practice.
Through case-based examples, attendees will learn how DNA mutation profiling and immunohistochemical (IHC) protein expression are integrated in daily clinical practice to guide targeted therapy selection in dogs and cats with a range of solid tumors. These cases will highlight the complementary roles of genetic and protein-level data in precision treatment planning.
Finally, emerging integrative strategies—including the combined use of genetic mutation profiling and 3D organoid-based drug sensitivity testing—will be discussed as evolving tools that may further refine personalized therapeutic decision-making in advanced-stage tumors.
This lecture translates molecular and biomarker research into practical guidance for daily clinical oncology, providing a framework for biomarker-guided use of targeted therapies and illustrating how precision oncology can meaningfully improve therapeutic decision-making and clinical outcomes in small-animal oncology.