Background

Recent advances in the understanding of the genetic changes driving cancers have uncovered the crucial role of protein kinases in tumour development and spread. As a result, these enzymes have become attractive targets for the treatment of several different types of cancer.

The first protein kinase inhibitor to receive approval was imatinib, which has shown remarkable effectiveness for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia. Since then, a total of 89 drugs targeting protein kinases – including both single and mTKIs – have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Early diagnosis of the genomic alterations driving a patient’s cancer is crucial for selecting the most beneficial treatment option – providing the best chance of successful outcomes while