TARGETED THERAPIES AS A CORNERSTONE OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE IN BREAST CANCER: ADVANCES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Breast cancer represents a complex and diverse group of diseases shaped by genetic, molecular, and hormonal influences. The rise of personalized medicine has shifted treatment toward approaches designed for the specific biology of each tumor. Important therapeutic advances include the use of HER2-targeted drugs, hormone receptor therapies, CDK4/6 inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, and antibody–drug conjugates, which are now applied to different breast cancer subtypes. Progress in technologies such as next-generation sequencing, companion diagnostics, and liquid biopsy has allowed detection of clinically relevant mutations and real-time evaluation of treatment response. These innovations have improved survival in many patients. Despite this progress, key barriers remain, including tumor variability, resistance to therapy, and limited access to molecular testing in resource-constrained settings. This review discusses the benefits and limitations of available targeted therapies, emphasizes the value of diagnostic tools in guiding treatment choices, and outlines future directions focused on broader accessibility, integration of novel biomarkers, and the development of next-generation therapeutic options to enhance care worldwide.