BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF CANCER: OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATION
Keywords:
Biochemical markers, tumor markers, oncological diagnostics, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, cancer antigen one hundred twenty-five, prostate-specific antigen, breast cancer susceptibility genes one and two, Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog, epidermal growth factor receptor, deoxyribonucleic acid methylation, epigenetic markers, genetic mutations, metabolic biomarkers, Warburg effect, lactate, glycolysis, micro ribonucleic acid, prognostic markers, predictive biomarkers, oncogenes, tumor protein fifty-three, biomolecular diagnostics, individualized therapy, liquid biopsy, oncological screening, immunodiagnostics, monitoring of treatment response, preclinical diagnostics, personalized medicine.Abstract
Cancer represents one of the most widespread and challenging diseases in contemporary medicine. Biochemical markers play a crucial role in the early detection of malignant processes, evaluation of disease prognosis, and the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. This article examines a broad range of biochemical markers associated with cancer, focusing on their classification, molecular origins, and clinical relevance. Particular attention is given to protein-based markers, including carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, and cancer antigen one hundred twenty-five, as well as genetic and epigenetic indicators such as mutations in tumor suppressor and oncogenes, and alterations in deoxyribonucleic acid methylation patterns. In addition, metabolic changes characteristic of malignant transformation, including increased lactate production and disturbances in glucose metabolism, are analyzed in relation to their diagnostic value. The sensitivity, specificity, and practical applicability of these markers are discussed, along with their role in current diagnostic systems and potential future developments. The analysis is based on data from international scientific literature and aims to provide an in-depth overview of modern biochemical approaches in oncology.
References
Hanahan, D., & Weinberg, R. A. (2011). Hallmarks of cancer: The next generation. Cell, 144(5), 646–674.
Warburg, O. (1956). On the origin of cancer cells. Science, 123(3191), 309–314.
Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71(3), 209–249.
Siegel, R. L., Miller, K. D., Fuchs, H. E., & Jemal, A. (2023). Cancer statistics, 2023. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 73(1), 17–48.
Henry, N. L., Hayes, D. F. (2012). Cancer biomarkers. Molecular Oncology, 6(2), 140–146.
Duffy, M. J. (2013). Tumor markers in clinical practice: A review focusing on common solid cancers. Medical Principles and Practice, 22(1), 4–11.
Schwarzenbach, H., Hoon, D. S. B., & Pantel, K. (2011). Cell-free nucleic acids as biomarkers in cancer patients. Nature Reviews Cancer, 11(6), 426–437.
Pavlova, N. N., & Thompson, C. B. (2016). The emerging hallmarks of cancer metabolism. Cell Metabolism, 23(1), 27–47.
National Cancer Institute. (2022). Cancer biomarkers and targeted therapy. NIH Publication.
Baselga, J., & Swain, S. M. (2009). Novel anticancer targets: Revisiting ERBB2 and discovering ERBB3. Nature Reviews Cancer, 9(7), 463–475.
Sharma, P., & Allison, J. P. (2015). The future of immune checkpoint therapy. Science, 348(6230), 56–61.
Pardoll, D. M. (2012). The blockade of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy. Nature Reviews Cancer, 12(4), 252–264.
Bodey, B., Bodey, B. Jr., Siegel, S. E., & Kaiser, H. E. (2000). Immunocytochemical detection of tumor markers in cancer diagnosis. Anticancer Research, 20(6C), 4673–4680.
