Various cancer cell-associated intrinsic and extrinsic inputs act on YAP/TAZ proteins to mediate the hyperactivation of the TEAD transcription factor-based transcriptome. This YAP/TAZ-TEAD activity can override the growth-limiting Hippo tumor-suppressor pathway that maintains normal tissue homeostasis. Herein, we provide an integrated summary of the contrasting roles of YAP/TAZ during normal tissue homeostasis versus tumor initiation and progression. In addition to upstream factors that regulate YAP/TAZ in the TME, critical insights on the emerging functions of YAP/TAZ in immune suppression and abnormal vasculature development during tumorigenesis are illustrated. Lastly, we discuss the current methods that intervene with the YAP/TAZ-TEAD oncogenic signaling pathway and the emerging applications of combination therapies, gut microbiota, and epigenetic plasticity that could potentiate the efficacy of chemo/immunotherapy as improved cancer therapeutic strategies.

Cancer remains a major cause of mortality worldwide, driving ongoing innovation in therapeutic strategies. Immunotherapy has transformed cancer care by leveraging the immune system to target tumors, but its effectiveness is limited by tumor heterogeneity, immune resistance, and unpredictable toxicities. Moreover, the absence of robust biomarkers to predict therapeutic response and manage adverse effects remains a significant challenge. Recent advances in biomarker discovery, including liquid biopsy technologies and gut microbiota profiling, are enhancing the precision of immunotherapy and enabling more personalized cancer management. Here, we present a Comprehensive Oncological Biomarker Framework that integrates genetic and molecular testing, imaging, histopathology, multi-omics, and liquid biopsy to generate a molecular fingerprint for each patient. This holistic approach supports individualized diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection, and response monitoring. Incorporating emerging biomarkers, such as microbiome signatures, further refines patient stratification, guiding the optimization of therapy. By uniting molecular insights with clinical and social factors, this framework aims to address tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion, ultimately improving patient outcomes through precision oncology.