Clinical usefulness of circulating tumor markers

Abstract

Tumor markers are a heterogeneous group of substances released by cancer cells into bloodstream, but also expressed by healthy tissues. Thus, very small concentrations can be present in plasma and serum from healthy subjects. Cancer patients tend to show increased levels correlating with tumor bulk, but false positive results could be present in patients with benign conditions. The correct interpretation of TM results could be challenging and many factors should be considered, from pre-analytical conditions to patient concomitant diseases. In this line, the Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine journal has made important contributions though several publications promoting the adequate use of TM and therefore improving patient safety. TM measurement offers valuable information for cancer patient management in different clinical contexts, such as helping diagnosis, estimating prognosis, facilitating early detection of relapse and monitoring therapy response. Our review analyzes the clinical usefulness of tumor markers applied in most frequent epithelial tumors, based on recent evidence and guidelines.

Serum exosomal circCCDC66 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for pituitary adenomas

“…Serum biomarkers could supply a precise evaluation to diagnose and predict the various tumors for survival improvements ( 12 ). With an improvement in technology of liquid biopsy, a wide variety of public literature has confirmed that tumor-specific proteins and RNAs that are encapsulated in exosomes exhibit enormous potentially valuable and promising predicable abilities in the diagnosis and prognosis judgment of a great many diseases.…”

Serum Raman spectroscopy: Evaluation of tumour load variations in experimental carcinogenesis

“…Literature states development/presence of tumours can be detected by (a) circulating tumour markers that are released by the tumour mass in the body fluids and stools, while (b) tumour tissue markers that are presented on the tumour cells [19–21]. The tumour cells and cellular components in peripheral blood or other body fluids such as serum, plasma, saliva, urine, tears, can be collected/sampled for the purpose of analysing tumour biology in the form of a liquid biopsy [22–24]. Currently in clinical settings, presence and levels of tumour markers in body fluids are assayed to primarily (a) detect the cancer type, (b) to assess the therapy (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and others) response and management and (c) for recurrence.…”

Cu-MOF/Aptamer/Magnetic Bead Sensor for Detection of Breast Cancer Biomarkers HER2 and ER

“…As tumors grow, their levels increase, which are many times higher than normal human bodies. 9 The aforementioned characteristics of cancer biomarkers give them the power to indirectly reflect tumorigenesis. Moreover, cancer biomarkers often precede clinical symptoms, allowing for early tumor screening upon their detection.…”

“…They contain proteins, , cells, nucleic acids, and others, which are often found in tumor tissue, body fluids, and blood. As tumors grow, their levels increase, which are many times higher than normal human bodies . The aforementioned characteristics of cancer biomarkers give them the power to indirectly reflect tumorigenesis.…”