therapeutic escape mutation
Secondary genetic alterations that emerge during treatment to confer resistance to targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Full Definition
Therapeutic escape mutations are secondary genomic alterations that arise in cancer cells during treatment exposure, enabling tumor cells to circumvent the effects of targeted therapies or immunotherapies. These mutations can occur through various mechanisms including reactivation of the original target pathway, activation of bypass signaling pathways, or alterations in drug metabolism pathways. Understanding escape mutation patterns is crucial for treatment sequencing decisions and combination therapy strategies. Detection of these mutations through sequential tumor sampling or liquid biopsy can inform treatment modification before clinical progression becomes apparent.
Usage
Usage note: Emphasize the temporal relationship to treatment exposure that distinguishes from primary resistance mutations.
In Context
- "The therapeutic escape mutation in EGFR T790M emerged after six months of osimertinib treatment, requiring therapy modification." — Clinical case report
- "Serial liquid biopsy monitoring detected therapeutic escape mutations before radiographic progression was evident." — Precision medicine protocol