Biological and Targeted Therapies in the Multidisciplinary Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers

Abstract

Simple Summary Gastrointestinal cancers are among the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. Their treatment is becoming increasingly complex because many new therapies no longer depend only on the organ in which the tumor develops, but also on specific biological features of the cancer cells. This review explains how modern biological and targeted therapies work in gastrointestinal cancers, which biomarkers help identify patients who may benefit from them, and how these treatments can be combined with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy. The aim is to provide a clear overview of current and emerging treatment strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, anti-HER2 therapies, antiangiogenic drugs, anti-EGFR antibodies, and newer approaches targeting CLDN18.2 and FGFR2b. By summarizing mechanisms, biomarkers, and clinical use, this review may help researchers and clinicians better understand the changing landscape of personalized treatment for gastrointestinal cancers.