Gastric Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms, Novel Targets, and Immunotherapies: From Bench to Clinical Therapeutics

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Gastric cancer (GC) is common but often diagnosed late. Recent advances in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy offer promising treatments. Perioperative chemotherapy is now the standard for resectable gastric cancer. Progress has also been made in treating metastatic disease using targeted immunotherapies. Molecular biomarkers such as PD-L1, MSI, and HER2 guide personalized treatment approaches. The review highlights these advancements and discusses future perspectives in GC treatment. ABSTRACT: Gastric cancer is a global health concern, ranking fifth in cancer diagnoses and fourth in cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite recent advancements in diagnosis, most cases are detected at advanced stages, resulting in poor outcomes. However, recent breakthroughs in genome analysis have identified biomarkers that hold positive clinical significance for GC treatment. These biomarkers and classifications offer the potential for more precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for GC patients. In this review, we explore the classification and molecular pathways in this disease, highlighting potential biomarkers that have emerged in recent studies including targeted therapies and immunotherapies. These advancements provide a promising direction for improving the management of GC.