Advances In Cancer Biomarkers

At present there are a growing number of biomolecules under investigation to understand their potential role as cancer biomarker for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes. Intriguingly, the state of art on cancer biomarkers research shows interesting and promising results together to clamorous failures. Also from a clinical point of view, there are contradictory results on routine clinical use of the present cancer biomarkers. Some patients may be simply monitored in their course by a periodic blood sample, but sometimes this monitoring shows dramatic limits. A lot of patients show serious and extensive relapses without significant change in serum concentrations of biomarkers tested. Often the physician who should utilize these biomarker does not entirely know their limits and the total potential applications as well and sometimes this knowledge is influenced by economical and marketing strategies. This limited and "polluted" knowledge may have dramatic consequences for patient. The aim of this book is to diffuse all aspects of cancer biomarkers, from their biochemical peculiarities to all clinical implications by passing through their physiology and pathophysiology. This critical approach towards old and new cancer biomarkers should foster a deepened and useful understanding of the diagnostic and prognostic index of these fundamental parameters of laboratory medicine and in the same time facilitating the research of new and more sensitive-specific signals of the cancer cell proliferation.

At present there are a growing number of biomolecules under investigation to understand their potential role as cancer biomarker for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes. Intriguingly, the state of art on cancer biomarkers research shows interesting and promising results together to clamorous failures. Also from a clinical point of view, there are contradictory results on routine clinical use of the present cancer biomarkers. Some patients may be simply monitored in their course by a periodic blood sample, but sometimes this monitoring shows dramatic limits. A lot of patients show serious and extensive relapses without significant change in serum concentrations of biomarkers tested. Often the physician who should utilize these biomarker does not entirely know their limits and the total potential applications as well and sometimes this knowledge is influenced by economical and marketing strategies. This limited and “polluted” knowledge may have dramatic consequences for patient. The aim of this book is to diffuse all aspects of cancer biomarkers, from their biochemical peculiarities to all clinical implications by passing through their physiology and pathophysiology. This critical approach towards old and new cancer biomarkers should foster a deepened and useful understanding of the diagnostic and prognostic index of these fundamental parameters of laboratory medicine and in the same time facilitating the research of new and more sensitive-specific signals of the cancer cell proliferation.

Many cancer patients are diagnosed at a stage in which the cancer is too far advanced to be cured, and most cancer treatments are effective in only a minority of patients undergoing therapy. Thus, there is tremendous opportunity to improve the outcome for people with cancer by enhancing detection and treatment approaches. Biomarkers will be instrumental in making that transition. Advances in biotechnology and genomics have given scientists new hope that biomarkers can be used to improve cancer screening and detection, to improve the drug development process, and to enhance the effectiveness and safety of cancer care by allowing physicians to tailor treatment for individual patients—an approach known as personalized medicine. However, progress overall has been slow, despite considerable effort and investment, and there are still many challenges and obstacles to overcome before this paradigm shift in oncology can become a reality.

This book provides information about different types and stages of cancer and their subtypes with their respective molecular mechanisms, etiology, histopathology, and cellular origins. This book also provides detailed information about cancer incidence, mortality, and different types of technologies both bio and nano employed in cancer diagnosis and screening, and their applications in cancer therapies. This book informs readers about molecular mechanisms of cancer, diagnosis, and therapies along with different computational techniques used on a single platform. The chapters include a broad and integrated perspective on cancer-related topics. This book covers both conventional and emerging techniques employed in cancer screening and diagnosis, including imaging, biomarker, and electrochemical nanosensor-based approaches with detailed information on sensor development. Similarly, this book also covers the mechanisms of different conventional and emerging herbal and nano therapies used in cancer treatment. The authors discuss applications of different computational and mathematical tools, such as machine-learning methods, that can be employed in cancer diagnosis and therapy at the level of personalized medicine. Features: Offers an integrated approach to provide information about all aspects of cancer biology, diagnosis, and therapy Focuses on both conventional and emerging tools/techniques applicable in cancer screening and diagnosis Covers the mechanisms of conventional and emerging anticancer drugs and therapies Provides insights about a personalized medicine-based approach in cancer diagnosis and therapy This book is essential for university students, course lecturers, researchers, and industrialists working in the fields of cancer biology, medicine, and pharmacology.

Prepared by world leaders on this topic, Biomarkers in Cancer Screening and Early Detection offers a comprehensive, state-of-the-art perspective on the various research and clinical aspects of cancer biomarkers, from their discovery and development to their validation, clinical utility, and use in developing personalized cancer treatment. Offers a comprehensive, state-of-the-art perspective on the various research and clinical aspects of cancer biomarkers Provides immediately actionable information – and hopefully also inspiration – to move discovery and clinical application forward Offers vital knowledge to help develop personalized cancer treatment for individual patients with specific cancers

Advances in Cancer Biomarkers Research provides a thorough and detailed description of cancer biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutics in several cancer types. The book presents a compendium of topics related to current advanced research, along with fundamental knowledge that will help readers fully comprehend the field of cancer biomarkers. Topics discussed include such the role of genetic mechanisms, epigenetics, DNA and microRNA in different cancers, signaling pathways and exosomes. In addition, the book discusses biomarker research applied to several cancer types, such as head and neck, urological, lung, bone tumors, hematological and neurological malignancies and breast cancers.This will be a valuable resource for cancer researchers, oncologists, graduate students and members of the biomedical field who are interested in the potential of biomarkers in cancer research and treatment. Provides a unique combination of basic and latest advancements in the field of cancer biomarkers, with a strong interdisciplinary approach Presents an updated roadmap for researchers, enabling them to learn the role of different biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and therapy and easily apply the knowledge gained to their work Discusses the complex mechanisms and pathways associated with cancer biomarkers through case studies, examples and illustrations

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the fast-evolving subject of clinical application of cancer therapeutic biomarkers. The second edition captures significant progress of cancer immunotherapy and emphasizes the genetic basis for selective cancer treatment. It covers an in-depth insight on biomarkers across a broad area of cancer research and oncology with a wealth of integrated genetic and molecular information about specific therapies by a multidisciplinary team of internationally recognized experts. Each chapter focuses on a class of targeted, immunologic, or chemotherapy agents and their companion biomarkers that predict response, benefit or resistance, and severe adverse event. The book will serve as a handbook for health professionals and scientists on the current applicable biomarkers in the management of cancer. The vision into the systemic classification and statistical consideration of therapeutic biomarkers summarized by the book editors and chapter authors will help advance precision medicine—a precisely tailored cancer treatment strategy for cancer patient care.

Tools, techniques, and progress in cancer biomarkers discovery The completion of a number of gene sequencing projects, recent advances in genomic and proteomic technologies, and the availability of powerful bioinformatics tools have led to promising new avenues and approaches in the search for cancer biomarkers. This book provides a comprehensive overview of current methodologies and technologies. It discusses biomarker discovery as a whole, rather than focusing on one specific marker or cancer. With information on both existing and potential biomarkers, Cancer Biomarkers: Analytical Techniques for Discovery: * Provides insights into the current technological platforms for biomarker discovery, including mass spectrometry combined with multidimensional chromatography, DIGE, and various chip technologies * Includes a detailed discussion of protein networks and protein phosphorylation in cancer * Details the use of imaging mass spectrometry, laser capture microdissection, serial analysis of gene expression, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, protein microarrays, antibody-based microarrays, and bioinformatics * Covers the emerging role of surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization (SELDI) and various tagging and labeling strategies * Discusses related regulatory and ethical issues With a wealth of information that can be applied to a broad spectrum of biomarker research projects, this is a core reference for biomarker researchers, scientists working in proteomics and bioinformatics, pharmaceutical scientists, oncologists, biochemists, biologists, and chemists.

This book sheds new light on research into liquid biopsy biomarkers for cancer screening. The chapters in the first half address exosomes, circulating cell-free DNA and autoantibodies, and main solid cancers, along with companion biomarkers – all of which serve as the basis for exploring key research questions for future clinical trials in the book’s second half. The study of biomarkers has evolved rapidly thanks to advances in precision medicine. While conventional cancer biomarker research is focused on proteomics or gene analysis of resected tissue, diagnostic markers have since become significant in terms of gauging the effectiveness of molecularly targeted drugs or the likelihood of a favorable prognosis. In addition, conventional treatment strategy, which draws on archives of resected tissue samples, is now gradually being replaced by monitoring with the use of liquid biopsy, which is poised to become the new mainstream in molecular targeting therapy. The contributing authors discuss in detail biomarkers, molecular targets for treatment, monitoring markers to evaluate treatment responses, prognostic markers, and screening and early diagnosis. Accordingly, this excellent collection of texts will benefit not only oncologists, but also medical and biological researchers and pharmaceutical scientists involved in the latest cancer research.

This book comprehensively summarizes the biology, etiology, and pathology of ovarian cancer and explores the role of deep molecular and cellular profiling in the advancement of precision medicine. The initial chapter discusses our current understanding of the origin, development, progression and tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer. In turn, the book highlights the development of resistance, disease occurrence, and poor prognosis that are the hallmarks of ovarian cancer. The book then reviews the role of deep molecular and cellular profiling to overcome challenges that are associated with the treatment of ovarian cancer. It explores the use of genome-wide association analysis to identify genetic variants for the evaluation of ovarian carcinoma risk and prognostic prediction. Lastly, it highlights various diagnostic and prognostic ovarian cancer biomarkers for the development of molecular-targeted therapy.