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Yu B, Ma W. Biomarker discovery in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for personalized treatment and enhanced prognosis. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2024; 79:29-38. [PMID: 39191624 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading contributor to cancer-related deaths worldwide and presents significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to its heterogeneous nature. The discovery of biomarkers has become crucial in addressing these challenges, promising early detection, precise diagnosis, and personalized treatment plans. Key biomarkers, such as alpha fetoprotein (AFP) glypican 3 (GPC3) and des gamma carboxy prothrombin (DCP) have shown potential in improving clinical results. Progress in proteomic technologies, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), mass spectrometry, and liquid biopsies detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), has deepened our understanding of HCC's molecular landscape. Immunological markers, like PD-L1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), also play a crucial role in guiding immunotherapy decisions. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in biomarker validation, standardization, integration into clinical practice, and cost-related barriers. Emerging technologies like single-cell sequencing and machine learning offer promising avenues for further exploration. Continued investment in research and collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers is vital to harness the potential of biomarkers fully, ultimately revolutionizing HCC management and improving patient outcomes through personalized treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baofa Yu
- Taimei Baofa Cancer Hospital, Dongping, Shandong 271500, China; Jinan Baofa Cancer Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250000, China; Beijing Baofa Cancer Hospital, Beijing, 100010, China; Immune Oncology Systems, Inc, San Diego, CA 92102, USA.
| | - Wenxue Ma
- Department of Medicine, Sanford Stem Cell Institute, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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Piana D, Iavarone F, De Paolis E, Daniele G, Parisella F, Minucci A, Greco V, Urbani A. Phenotyping Tumor Heterogeneity through Proteogenomics: Study Models and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8830. [PMID: 39201516 PMCID: PMC11354793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity refers to the diversity observed among tumor cells: both between different tumors (inter-tumor heterogeneity) and within a single tumor (intra-tumor heterogeneity). These cells can display distinct morphological and phenotypic characteristics, including variations in cellular morphology, metastatic potential and variability treatment responses among patients. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of such heterogeneity is necessary for deciphering tumor-specific mechanisms that may be diagnostically and therapeutically valuable. Innovative and multidisciplinary approaches are needed to understand this complex feature. In this context, proteogenomics has been emerging as a significant resource for integrating omics fields such as genomics and proteomics. By combining data obtained from both Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses, proteogenomics aims to provide a comprehensive view of tumor heterogeneity. This approach reveals molecular alterations and phenotypic features related to tumor subtypes, potentially identifying therapeutic biomarkers. Many achievements have been made; however, despite continuous advances in proteogenomics-based methodologies, several challenges remain: in particular the limitations in sensitivity and specificity and the lack of optimal study models. This review highlights the impact of proteogenomics on characterizing tumor phenotypes, focusing on the critical challenges and current limitations of its use in different clinical and preclinical models for tumor phenotypic characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Piana
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.P.); (F.I.); (F.P.)
- Departmen Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (E.D.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Federica Iavarone
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.P.); (F.I.); (F.P.)
- Departmen Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (E.D.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Elisa De Paolis
- Departmen Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (E.D.P.); (A.M.)
- Departmental Unit of Molecular and Genomic Diagnostics, Genomics Core Facility, Gemelli Science and Technology Park (G-STeP), Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Daniele
- Phase 1 Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Federico Parisella
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.P.); (F.I.); (F.P.)
| | - Angelo Minucci
- Departmen Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (E.D.P.); (A.M.)
- Departmental Unit of Molecular and Genomic Diagnostics, Genomics Core Facility, Gemelli Science and Technology Park (G-STeP), Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Greco
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.P.); (F.I.); (F.P.)
- Departmen Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (E.D.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.P.); (F.I.); (F.P.)
- Departmen Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (E.D.P.); (A.M.)
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Pazoki A, Dadfar S, Shadab A, Haghmorad D, Oksenych V. Soluble CD40 Ligand as a Promising Biomarker in Cancer Diagnosis. Cells 2024; 13:1267. [PMID: 39120299 PMCID: PMC11311304 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a significant challenge in medicine due to its complexity and heterogeneity. Biomarkers have emerged as vital tools for cancer research and clinical practice, facilitating early detection, prognosis assessment, and treatment monitoring. Among these, CD40 ligand (CD40L) has gained attention for its role in immune response modulation. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) has shown promise as a potential biomarker in cancer diagnosis and progression, reflecting interactions between immune cells and the tumor microenvironment. This review explores the intricate relationship between sCD40L and cancer, highlighting its diagnostic and prognostic potential. It discusses biomarker discovery, emphasizing the need for reliable markers in oncology, and elucidates the roles of CD40L in inflammatory responses and interactions with tumor cells. Additionally, it examines sCD40L as a biomarker, detailing its significance across various cancer types and clinical applications. Moreover, the review focuses on therapeutic interventions targeting CD40L in malignancies, providing insights into cellular and gene therapy approaches and recombinant protein-based strategies. The clinical effectiveness of CD40L-targeted therapy is evaluated, underscoring the need for further research to unlock the full potential of this signaling pathway in cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Pazoki
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan 35147-99442, Iran
| | - Sepehr Dadfar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan 35147-99442, Iran
| | - Alireza Shadab
- Department of Health Science, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran
| | - Dariush Haghmorad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan 35147-99442, Iran
- Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan 35147-99442, Iran
| | - Valentyn Oksenych
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
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Shbeer AM, Robadi IA. liquid biopsy holds a promising approach for the early detection of cancer: Current information and future perspectives. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155082. [PMID: 38246032 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is becoming a global pandemic, and its occurrence is increasing rapidly, putting a strain on people's families, health systems, and finances, in addition to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Many cancer types lack screening programs, and many people at high risk of developing cancer do not follow recommended medical screening regimens because of the nature of currently available screening tests and other compliance issues, despite cancer being the second leading cause of death worldwide. Furthermore, a lot of liquid biopsy methods for early cancer screening are not sensitive enough to catch cancer early. Cancer treatment costs increase with the time it takes to diagnose the disease; therefore, early detection is essential to enhance the quality of life and survival rates. The current status of the liquid biopsy sector is examined in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah M Shbeer
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ibrahim Ahmed Robadi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
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