Serum and Tissue Biomarkers in Cancer: A Translational Approach

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2023) | Viewed by 17938

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Head of Laboratory of Electrochemistry and PATLAB, National Institute of Research for Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, Bucharest, 300569 Timișoara, Romania
Interests: electrochemical sensors; chemistry; graphene; biomarkers; gastrointestinal cancer
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Guest Editor
Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
Interests: pathology; immunohistochemistry; oncogenesis; iatrogenic pathology; soft tissue tumors; gastrointestinal cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to be focused on a translational approach of tumor biomarkers. As the individualized therapy of cancer targets these biomarkers, the subject is comprehensive but, at the same time, very trendy, with potential clinical impact. The editors already work in a transdisciplinary team and represent the medical branch and the preclinical part of medical research. They welcome submissions from researchers involved in basic cancer research but also in clinical activities. We aim to have a complex understanding of cancer, based on serum and tissue biomarkers examined with the most different methods, from ELISA to biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, PCR, NGS, etc. These cancer biomarkers might be examined for diagnosis, screening, estimating prognosis, or might be presented as having a predictive value. For our approach to cancer to evolve, it is mandatory to have a clear understanding of tumor cells, from cell lines to clinical trials. Reviews and original papers are both welcome.

Prof. Dr. Simona Gurzu
Prof. Dr. Raluca-Ioana Stefan-van Staden
Prof. Dr. Ioan Jung
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cancer biomarkers
  • circulating tumor cells
  • immunohistochemistry
  • cell lines
  • diagnosis
  • prognosis
  • individualized therapy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2756 KiB  
Article
Potential Use of CTCs as Biomarkers in Renal Cancer Patients
by Joanna Bialek, Andreas Wencker, Felix Kawan, Stefan Yankulov, Paolo Fornara and Gerit Theil
Life 2022, 12(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12010089 - 9 Jan 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1701
Abstract
We demonstrated that the CellCollector is an appropriate tool for detecting CTCs in RCC patients. We examined EpCAM and MUC1 expression levels in RCC tissues and cell lines and analyzed the detection rate of CTCs in blood samples ex vivo using an anti-EpCAM [...] Read more.
We demonstrated that the CellCollector is an appropriate tool for detecting CTCs in RCC patients. We examined EpCAM and MUC1 expression levels in RCC tissues and cell lines and analyzed the detection rate of CTCs in blood samples ex vivo using an anti-EpCAM antibody-covered straight or spiraled CellCollector. Eight matched samples were examined for affinity to the anti-EpCAM vs. anti-EpCAM/anti-MUC1 antibody-covered wire. The use of this combination of antibodies allowed us to classify patients with lung metastasis. Finally, four patients were analyzed in vivo. In conclusion, both straight (ex vivo, in vivo) and spiraled (ex vivo) wires detected CTCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Serum and Tissue Biomarkers in Cancer: A Translational Approach)
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12 pages, 4560 KiB  
Article
Methylglyoxal Levels in Human Colorectal Precancer and Cancer: Analysis of Tumor and Peritumor Tissue
by Chu-Kuang Chou, Po-Chun Yang, Pei-Yun Tsai, Hsin-Yi Yang, Kun-Feng Tsai, Tsung-Hsien Chen, Kai-Sheng Liao, Chi-Yi Chen and Jen-Ai Lee
Life 2021, 11(12), 1319; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11121319 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4197
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and its incidence is increasing; therefore, an understanding of its oncogenic mechanisms is critical for improving its treatment and management. Methylglyoxal (MGO) has a highly reactive aldehyde group and has been suggested [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and its incidence is increasing; therefore, an understanding of its oncogenic mechanisms is critical for improving its treatment and management. Methylglyoxal (MGO) has a highly reactive aldehyde group and has been suggested to play a role in oncogenesis. However, no standardized data are currently available on MGO levels in colorectal precancerous and cancerous lesions. We collected 40 matched colorectal tumor and peritumor tissues from patients with low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and invasive cancer (IC). MGO levels increased between LGD, HGD, and IC tumor tissues (215.25 ± 39.69, 267.45 ± 100.61, and 587.36 ± 123.19 μg/g protein, respectively; p = 0.014). The MGO levels in peritumor tissue increased and were significantly higher than MGO levels in tumor tissue (197.99 ± 49.40, 738.09 ± 247.87, 933.41 ± 164.83 μg/g protein, respectively; p = 0.002). Tumor tissue MGO levels did not correlate with age, sex, underlying disease, or smoking status. These results suggest that MGO levels fluctuate in progression of CRC and warrants further research into its underlying mechanisms and function in tumor biology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Serum and Tissue Biomarkers in Cancer: A Translational Approach)
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12 pages, 1942 KiB  
Article
PD-L1 Expression in Muscle Invasive Urothelial Carcinomas as Assessed via Immunohistochemistry: Correlations with Specific Clinical and Pathological Features, with Emphasis on Prognosis after Radical Cystectomy
by Ioan Alin Nechifor-Boilă, Andrada Loghin, Adela Nechifor-Boilă, Myriam Decaussin-Petrucci, Septimiu Voidăzan, Bogdan Călin Chibelean, Orsolya Martha and Angela Borda
Life 2021, 11(5), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11050404 - 28 Apr 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2006
Abstract
In the present study, we analyzed Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in radical cystectomy (RC) specimens from patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC), in order to assess any correlations with specific clinicopathological features and its potential prognostic value. A multi-institutional study was performed [...] Read more.
In the present study, we analyzed Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in radical cystectomy (RC) specimens from patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC), in order to assess any correlations with specific clinicopathological features and its potential prognostic value. A multi-institutional study was performed within the departments of urology and pathology at the Mureș County Hospital, Romania, and Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, France. Sixty-nine patients with MIBC were included, for whom tumor histology (conventional versus histological variant/differentiation), tumor extension (T), lymph node involvement (N), and distant metastases (M) were recorded. PD-L1 immunostaining was performed using the 22C3 clone and was interpreted using the combined positive score (CPS) as recommended (Dako Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Positive PD-L1 immunostaining was more prevalent among UCs with squamous differentiation compared to conventional UCs and trended towards an improved OS (p = 0.366). We found the T stage to be a risk factor for poor survival in PD-L1-positive patients (HR 2.9, p = 0.021), along with the N stage in PD-L1-negative patients (HR 1.98, p = 0.007). No other clinicopathological factor was found to be significantly associated with PD-L1 positivity. Thus, we confirm the need for PD-L1 immunostaining prior to initiating immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for a more accurate assessment of the patients’ chances of responding to treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Serum and Tissue Biomarkers in Cancer: A Translational Approach)
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15 pages, 2586 KiB  
Article
SOX11, SOX10 and MITF Gene Interaction: A Possible Diagnostic Tool in Malignant Melanoma
by Marius-Alexandru Beleaua, Ioan Jung, Cornelia Braicu, Doina Milutin and Simona Gurzu
Life 2021, 11(4), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11040281 - 27 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3363
Abstract
Malignant melanoma (MM) is a highly heterogenic tumor whose histological diagnosis might be difficult. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of the conventional pan-melanoma cocktail members (HMB-45, melan-A and tyrosinase), in conjunction with SOX10 and SOX11 immunohistochemical (IHC) expression. [...] Read more.
Malignant melanoma (MM) is a highly heterogenic tumor whose histological diagnosis might be difficult. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of the conventional pan-melanoma cocktail members (HMB-45, melan-A and tyrosinase), in conjunction with SOX10 and SOX11 immunohistochemical (IHC) expression. In 105 consecutive cases of MMs and 44 of naevi, the IHC examination was performed using the five-abovementioned markers, along with microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF), S100, and Ki67. Correlation with the clinicopathological factors and a long-term follow-up was also done. Survival analysis was performed with Kaplan–Meier curves and compared with TCGA public datasets. None of the 44 naevi expressed SOX11, but its positivity was seen in 52 MMs (49.52%), being directly correlated with lymphovascular invasion, the Ki67 index, and SOX10 expression. HMB-45, SOX10, and tyrosinase, but not melan-A, proved to differentiate the naevi from MMs successfully, with high specificity. Triple MITF/SOX10/SOX11 co-expression was seen in 9 out of 15 negative conventional pan-melanoma-cocktail cases. The independent prognostic value was proved for the conventional pan-melanoma cocktail (triple positivity for HMB-45, melan-A, and tyrosinase) and, independently for HMB-45 and tyrosinase, but not for melan-A, SOX10, or SOX11. As consequence, to differentiate MMs from benign naevi, melan-A should be substituted by SOX10 in the conventional cocktail. Although the conventional pan-melanoma cocktail, along with S100 can be used for the identification of melanocytic origin of tumor cells and predicting prognosis of MMs, the conventional-adapted cocktail (triple positivity for HMB-45, SOX10, and tyrosinase) has a slightly higher diagnostic specificity. SOX11 can be added to identify the aggressive MMs with risk for lymphatic dissemination and the presence of circulating tumor cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Serum and Tissue Biomarkers in Cancer: A Translational Approach)
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Review

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14 pages, 1533 KiB  
Review
DNA Methylation Change Profiling of Colorectal Disease: Screening towards Clinical Use
by Joo Mi Yi
Life 2021, 11(5), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11050412 - 30 Apr 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5093
Abstract
Colon cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Transformation of colon epithelial cells into invasive adenocarcinomas has been well known to be due to the accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic changes. In the past decade, the etiology of [...] Read more.
Colon cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Transformation of colon epithelial cells into invasive adenocarcinomas has been well known to be due to the accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic changes. In the past decade, the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, was only partially explained by genetic studies providing susceptibility loci, but recently epigenetic studies have provided critical evidences affecting IBD pathogenesis. Over the past decade, A deep understanding of epigenetics along with technological advances have led to identifying numerous genes that are regulated by promoter DNA hypermethylation in colorectal diseases. Recent advances in our understanding of the role of DNA methylation in colorectal diseases could improve a multitude of powerful DNA methylation-based biomarkers, particularly for use as diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction for therapeutic approaches. This review focuses on the emerging potential for translational research of epigenetic alterations into clinical utility as molecular biomarkers. Moreover, this review discusses recent progress regarding the identification of unknown hypermethylated genes in colon cancers and IBD, as well as their possible role in clinical practice, which will have important clinical significance, particularly in the era of the personalized medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Serum and Tissue Biomarkers in Cancer: A Translational Approach)
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