Open Access

REVIEW

From Tumor Biology to Clinical Perspectives: Novel Biomarkers and Therapeutic Insights in Gastric Cancer

Xiya Cheng^1,#, Yunshu Ma^2,#, Jinglu Yan³, Yizhe Zhang², Riguge Su⁴, Xiaoming Tao^5,*, Jing Zhao^2,*, Peizhun Du^6,*

1 Department of Medical Affairs, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
2 Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
3 Department of Digestive Diseases, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
4 Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
5 Department of Endocrinology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
6 Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

* Corresponding Authors: Xiaoming Tao. Email: ; Jing Zhao. Email: ; Peizhun Du. Email:
# These authors contributed equally to this work

Oncology Research 2026, 34(10), 12 https://doi.org/10.32604/or.2026.083832

Received 11 April 2026; Accepted 04 August 2026; Issue published 14 September 2026

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Accurate early detection, timely diagnostic stratification, and robust prognostic risk assessment are essential for optimizing clinical outcomes and improving survival duration. However, conventional serological biomarkers demonstrate limited diagnostic performance owing to suboptimal sensitivity and specificity, while standard chemotherapy and targeted therapies provide only modest survival benefits in GC. Marked inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity further characterizes GC as a biologically complex and treatment-resistant malignancy. To date, significant progress has been made in comprehensively delineating the complex molecular pathogenesis of GC, providing a strong rationale for the development of novel biomarkers and promising therapeutic targets. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize recent advances ranging from aberrant genetic and epigenetic alterations; dysregulation of oncogenic signaling pathways; sophisticated crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment; intricate microbiota-inflammation interactions; fundamental discoveries to potential clinical translation, including novel biomarkers for early detection, diagnosis and prognostic stratification; and emerging therapeutic strategies for GC. Collectively, this work provides a conceptual framework for advancing precision medicine in GC.

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