Navigating Cancer with Biomarkers: A Diagnostic Approach

Abstract

Cancer biomarkers, which include a broad variety of endogenous substances such DNA, transcription factors, surface receptors, metabolites, and secreted proteins, are essential to oncology. These biomarkers provide insights into tumor presence, progression, and treatment in early cancer detection and personalized therapy planning. The historical evolution of cancer biomarker began with identification of protein, which was identified by Bence Jones in 1847 as an excess of immunoglobulin G (IgG) light chain antibody produced by tumors in multiple myeloma patients' urine, marking the advent of biomarker application in medicine. Since then, advancements in biomarker discovery have been driven by developments in molecular biology, including the creation of immunoassays, monoclonal antibodies, and advanced proteomic and genomic techniques. Biomarkers are classified functionally into diagnostic, prognostic, and stratification categories, each serving specific roles in cancer management. Strategies for biomarker discovery include gene-expression profiling, mass-spectrometry-based proteomics, peptidomics, and various innovative approaches like protein microarrays and cancer-biomarker-family methods. Clinical applications of biomarkers, such as PSA for prostate cancer and CA-125 for ovarian cancer, highlight their utility in diagnosis and treatment. As research advances, the incorporation of novel technologies and methodologies holds promise for augmenting the accuracy and efficacy of cancer biomarkers, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes via more individualized and focused treatment.