In the oncology field, predictive markers allow physicians to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy, and prognostic markers allow patient selection with high risk of cancer recurrence for treatment, and those with low risk of recurrence for less intensive treatment or observation only.

Genomic approaches for marker discovery now include genome-wide association studies and tumor DNA sequencing. The challenge is now to select markers for which there is enough evidence to transition them to the clinic.

In this review, we highlight the most recent genomic markers promises for both prognostic as well as predictive markers in cancer treatments.

Important barriers against implementation of routine clinical use of pharmacogenomic marker include the inherent low frequency of many of these markers, the lengthy validation process through trials, as well as legislative and low economic budgets.

Based on these actions, the oncologist will have a new features with which to make personalized treatment decision for their patients in order to maximize benefit and minimize toxicity.