Gleaning information from more than 100 experts in the field of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy worldwide, Cancer Biomarkers: Non-Invasive Early Diagnosis and Prognosis determines the significance of clinical validation approaches for several markers. This book examines the use of noninvasive or minimally invasive molecular cancer m

This special book edition of the journal Disease Markers concentrates on molecular biomarkers in cancer research. The main subjects of this book are: Prognostic and predictive markers in cancer; Statistical considerations in combining biomarkers for disease classification; Blood and urine markers for ovarian cancer; Use of markers for the detection and treatment of lung cancer; The promise of biomarkers in colorectal cancer detection; Development tracks for cancer prevention markers; Molecular markers for early detection of cervical neoplasia and Markers of prostate cancer detection, diagnosis and prognosis. This book contains contributions by an international board of experts on the topic.

Current Cancer Biomarkers is a comprehensive review on the status of biological markers for various types of cancer. It aims to update readers on current developments on the subject. The contents are divided into 5 sections covering a wide range of biomarkers and their diagnostic applications. The range of tumour biomarkers referenced here gives insights into molecular mechanisms behind cancer, including initiation, development, progression, prognosis, response to the therapeutic modalities, recurrence, and point-of-care application to detect cancer. Key features - Introduction of the basic features of cancer markers - Comprehensive and updated coverage of potential and effective biomarkers including genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, cellular and morphologic factors - Information on biomarkers in many types of cancers including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, skin cancer, leukemia, liver cancer and prostate cancer - Applications of biomarkers in cancer diagnosis - Structured contents with easy-to-understand sections and headings - References for advanced readers The updated information about different aspects of cancer markers in the experimental and clinical setting will enrich the reader's understanding of the disease. The information serves as a resource to help in better management of cancer patients and understanding cancer biology when planning medical research projects. The book is intended as a reference for a diverse audience: biomedical science students, medical students, academics, researchers, clinicians and multidisciplinary teams involved in cancer management and research.

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.

This book illustrates the basics and underlying molecular machinery of cancer cells and biochemical assays that detect the type and stage of cancer through cell signaling biomarkers. It starts with a brief introduction to cancer biomarkers and addresses technologies for identifying and validating cancer biomarkers, biomarkers for cancer drug development, prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers, and microbiome as cancer biomarkers. It reviews predictive biomarkers for anticancer drugs, biomarkers in cancer survival and drug resistance, biomarkers in tumor recurrence and metastasis, the role of the biomarker in immunotherapy and personalized medicine, and the development of a novel cancer biomarker. Finally, this book also underpins the role of nanotechnology in the use and detection of cancer biomarkers for enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Lastly, it discusses the challenges with biomarkers in cancer drug discovery and development. This volume is an indispensable tool for researchers working in the field of cancer and also for clinical oncologists.

The molecular and genetic signatures of cancer are represented in the peripheral circulation and other body fluids, giving rise to the “liquid biopsy” concept. This new paradigm of molecular profiling of cancer cells offers several advantages over traditional tissue biopsy. It is convenient, noninvasive, conforms to current clinical practice, enables real time disease monitoring and the study of tumor evolution, can easily be sampled multiple times, and this sample is more representative of the heterogeneous cancer cells than biopsy sampling. Indeed, all aspects of cancer molecular genetic information, stemming from DNA (both nuclear and mitochondria), RNA (coding and noncoding), peptides and proteins, metabolites and lipids are present in body fluids as free, cell surface bound or enclosed in membrane vesicles, and are being harnessed for disease management. Additionally, circulating tumor, and tumor stem cells provide prognostic information, and also enable the study of the intricate molecular processes associated with metastasis and drug resistance. This treatise deals with the general principles of the molecular pathology of cancer, and its associated imprints in circulation. The transitional process from discovery, prototype development, translational research, to product development can be complex and costly. The critical path to biomarker development and qualification for successful use in drug development is detailed herein as well. This book is of interest to Cancer Researchers, Oncologists, Clinicians, Surgeons, Medical Students, Nurses, Diagnostic Laboratories, and Pharmaceutical Industries.​​

As we know, cancer is an important disease threatening human health. According to the latest statistics in “Global Cancer Statistics 2020”, cancer is expected to overtake cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of premature death in most countries this century. That sounds pretty terrible, but it is believed that this situation should be better along with the advances in tumor biology. There is no doubt that biomarkers have very significant clinical implications, which can be used for early diagnosis, monitoring progress, and predicting the prognosis of cancer.

Identification and development of cancer biomarkers and targets have greatly accelerated progress towards precision medicine in oncology. Studies of tumor biology have not only provided insights into the mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis, but also led to discovery of molecules that have been developed into cancer biomarkers and targets. Multi-platforms for molecular characterization of tumors using next-generation genomic sequencing, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and blood-based biopsies have greatly expanded the portfolio of potential biomarkers and targets. These cancer biomarkers have been developed for diagnosis, early detection, prognosis, and prediction of treatment response. The molecular targets have been exploited for anti-cancer therapy and delivery of therapeutic agents. This Special Issue of Biomedicines focuses on recent advances in the discovery, characterization, translation, and clinical application of cancer biomarkers and targets in malignant diseases of the digestive system. The goal is to stimulate basic and translational research and clinical collaboration in this exciting field with the hope of developing strategies for prevention and early detection/diagnosis of cancer in digestive organs, and improving therapeutic and psychosocial outcomes in patients with these malignant diseases.

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 describes various novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. It also highlights recent advances in understanding the role of molecular markers and biomarkers, such as volatile biomarkers, serum biomarkers, predictive and prognostic molecular markers for the early detection of GI cancers. Further, it discusses novel biomarkers, including circulating microRNAs, serum microRNA and plasma microRNA in GI cancer. The book presents breakthrough technologies like ultra-sensitive nano-chips, nanosensors, nanodevices, biosensors, electrochemical biosensors, optical biosensors, DNA biosensors, synthetic biology devices, and 'omics' technologies for the early diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer. In addition it examines the potential of genome-wide association studies, big data analytics, computation biology, systems biology, and nanotechnology for early diagnostics and therapeutics for gastrointestinal cancer, with a focus on personalized cancer treatment. The book is a valuable source for researchers and clinicians engaged in detection and diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers.