The application of radiomics in predicting gene mutations in cancer.

With the development of genome sequencing, the role of molecular targeted therapy in cancer is becoming increasingly important. However, genetic testing remains expensive, invasive, and time-consuming, and thus unavailable for all patients. Radiogenomics aims to correlate imaging characteristics with gene expression patterns, gene mutations, and other genome-related characteristics. Due to the noninvasive nature of medical imaging, the field of radiogenomics is rapidly developing and may serve as a substitute tool for genetic testing. In this article, we briefly summarise the current role of radiogenomics in predicting gene mutations in brain, lung, colorectal, breast, and kidney tumours. KEY POINTS: • The role of molecular targeted therapy in individual cancer-precision therapy is becoming increasingly important with the development of genetic testing. • Radiogenomics may provide accurate imaging biomarkers as a substitute for genetic testing. • While the field of radiogenomics holds great promise, there are still a number of limitations that need to be overcome.