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Cancers
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Advancements in “Cancer Biomarkers” for 2025–2026
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Advancements in “Cancer Biomarkers” for 2025–2026

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Biomarkers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 2760

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Maxim V. Berezovski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
Interests: glioblastoma; lung cancer; molecular diagnostics; circulating tumor cells; tumor-derived exosomes; aptamers; proteomics; biomarkers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite significant advances in the understanding and treatment of cancer, early detection and personalized therapeutic strategies remain essential in improving patient outcomes. Cancer biomarkers have emerged as crucial tools in this endeavor, providing insights that guide both research and clinical practice. Recognizing the critical role that biomarkers play, we are pleased to present this Special Issue dedicated exclusively to the latest research and advancements in cancer biomarkers.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Biomarker Discovery: exploring new molecular, genetic, and proteomic markers, which could serve as indicators of cancer initiation, progression, or response to therapy.

Biomarker Validation and Clinical Implementation: addressing the challenges and methodologies associated with translating laboratory findings into clinically applicable tools.

Precision Medicine and Targeted Therapies: examining how cancer biomarkers are driving individualized treatment plans that cater to the unique characteristics of each patient's cancer.

Innovations in Detection and Analysis: surveying the technological advancements that are enabling more precise, reliable, and cost-effective biomarker evaluation.

This Special Issue brings together a diverse array of contributions from prominent researchers, clinicians, and experts across oncology, genetics, biochemistry, and other interdisciplinary fields. The collaborative nature of these works illuminates the multifaceted approach required to achieve the full potential of cancer biomarkers. Original articles, systematic reviews, and review papers are welcome. The aim of this Special Issue is to have a collection of at least 10 articles, which we would assist with and work together with you to achieve, and the Special Issue can be printed in book form if this number is reached.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Maxim V. Berezovski
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • RNA biomarkers
  • miRNA biomarkers
  • DNA biomarkers
  • cell-free DNA (cfDNA)
  • protein biomarkers
  • metabolomic biomarkers
  • mutational biomarkers
  • circulating tumor cells (CTCs)
  • tumor-derived extracellular vesicle (tEV) biomarkers
  • cellular biomarkers
  • imaging biomarkers
  • clinical biomarkers
  • biomarkers of drug response
  • biomarkers of genetic predisposition to cancer
  • epigenetic biomarkers
  • biomarkers of cancer outcomes
  • mass spectrometry
  • next-generation sequencing (NGS)
  • flow cytometry
  • positron emission tomography (PET)
  • computed tomography (CT)
  • magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • X-rays
  • ultrasound
  • electrocardiography (ECG/EKG)
  • endoscopy
  • biopsy
  • pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
  • histopathology
  • cytopathology
  • immunohistochemistry (IHC)
  • in situ hybridization (ISH)
  • fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
  • liquid biopsy
  • electron microscopy
  • digital pathology and image analysis

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 1798 KiB  
Article
Genetic Insights into Breast Cancer in Northeastern Mexico: Unveiling Gene–Environment Interactions and Their Links to Obesity and Metabolic Diseases
by Hugo Leonid Gallardo-Blanco, María de Lourdes Garza-Rodríguez, Diana Cristina Pérez-Ibave, Carlos Horacio Burciaga-Flores, Víctor Michael Salinas-Torres, Moisés González-Escamilla, Rafael Piñeiro-Retif, Ricardo M. Cerda-Flores, Oscar Vidal-Gutiérrez and Celia N. Sanchez-Dominguez
Cancers 2025, 17(6), 982; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17060982 - 14 Mar 2025
Viewed by 815
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer (BC), one of the most common cancers, has increased in Mexico during the past decade, along with other chronic and metabolic diseases. Methods: Herein, we analyzed 121 SNPs (85 SNPs related to BC and/or glucose-associated metabolic pathways and 36 SNP [...] Read more.
Background: Breast cancer (BC), one of the most common cancers, has increased in Mexico during the past decade, along with other chronic and metabolic diseases. Methods: Herein, we analyzed 121 SNPs (85 SNPs related to BC and/or glucose-associated metabolic pathways and 36 SNP classified as ancestry markers) in 92 confirmed BC cases and 126 unaffected BC women from Northeastern Mexico. The relationship of these 121 SNPs with BC, considering BMI, menopause status, and age as cofactors, was explored using a gene–environment (G × E) interaction multi-locus model. Results: Twelve gene variants were significantly associated with BC: three located in exome (rs3856806 PPARG, rs12792229 MMP8, and rs5218 KCNJ11-ABCC8), and nine in non-coding regions, which are involved in accelerated decay of the mRNA transcripts, regulatory regions, and flanking regions (rs3917542 PON1; rs3750804 and rs3750805 TCF7L2; rs1121980 and rs3751812 FTO; rs12946618 RPTOR; rs2833483 SCAF4; rs11652805 AMZ2P1-GNA13; and rs1800955 SCT-DEAF1-DRD4). Conclusions: This study identified an association between BC and menopause, age (above 45), obesity, and overweight status with gene variants implicated in diabetes mellitus, obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in “Cancer Biomarkers” for 2025–2026)
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13 pages, 1832 KiB  
Article
Absolute Quantification of Nucleotide Variants in Cell-Free DNA via Quantitative NGS: Clinical Application in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
by Guillaume Herbreteau, Marie Marcq, Chloé Sauzay, Maxime Carpentier, Elise Pierre-Noël, Elvire Pons-Tostivint, Audrey Vallée, Sandrine Théoleyre, Acya Bizieux, Jaafar Bennouna and Marc G. Denis
Cancers 2025, 17(5), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17050783 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 569
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis is a powerful tool for non-invasive monitoring of tumor burden and treatment response. Reliable quantification methods are critical for the effective use of ctDNA as a tumor biomarker. Digital PCR (dPCR) offers high sensitivity and quantification, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis is a powerful tool for non-invasive monitoring of tumor burden and treatment response. Reliable quantification methods are critical for the effective use of ctDNA as a tumor biomarker. Digital PCR (dPCR) offers high sensitivity and quantification, but requires the prior knowledge of tumor-specific genomic alterations. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides a more comprehensive approach but is semi-quantitative, relying on variant allelic fraction (VAF), which can be influenced by non-tumor cell-free DNA. Methods: We developed a novel quantitative NGS (qNGS) method for absolute quantification of nucleotide variants, utilizing unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) and of quantification standards (QSs), short synthetic DNA sequences modified to include characteristic mutations for unique identification in sequencing data. We evaluated the performance of this method using plasma samples spiked with mutated DNA and plasma pools from cancer patients. We further applied our technique to plasma samples from four non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients enrolled in the ELUCID trial. Results: Our qNGS approach demonstrated robust linearity and correlation with dPCR in both spiked and patient-derived plasma samples. Notably, the analysis of clinical samples from the ELUCID trial revealed the ability of our method to simultaneously quantify multiple variants in a single plasma sample. Significant differences in ctDNA levels were observed between baseline and post-treatment samples collected after three weeks of front-line therapy. Conclusions: We introduce a novel qNGS method that enables the absolute quantification of ctDNA, independent of non-tumor circulating DNA variations. This technique was applied for the first time to serial samples from NSCLC patients, demonstrating its ability to simultaneously monitor multiple variants, making it a robust and versatile tool for precision oncology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in “Cancer Biomarkers” for 2025–2026)
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Review

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22 pages, 1391 KiB  
Review
Liquid Biopsy in HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
by Federica Maria Parisi, Mario Lentini, Carlos M. Chiesa-Estomba, Miguel Mayo-Yanez, Jerome R. Leichen, Matthew White, Giovanni Giurdanella, Salvatore Cocuzza, Maria Rita Bianco, Nicolas Fakhry and Antonino Maniaci
Cancers 2025, 17(6), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17060977 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 861
Abstract
Objectives: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer globally, with HPV-positive cases emerging as a distinct subtype with unique clinical and molecular characteristics. Current diagnostic methods, including tissue biopsy and imaging, face limitations in terms of invasiveness, [...] Read more.
Objectives: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer globally, with HPV-positive cases emerging as a distinct subtype with unique clinical and molecular characteristics. Current diagnostic methods, including tissue biopsy and imaging, face limitations in terms of invasiveness, static disease assessment, and difficulty in distinguishing recurrence from treatment-related changes. This review aimed to assess the potential of liquid biopsy as a minimally invasive tool for the diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and surveillance of HPV-associated HNSCC. Methods: This systematic review analyzed literature from PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science, focusing on original research and reviews related to liquid biopsy applications in HPV-positive HNSCC. Included studies were evaluated based on the robustness of the study design, clinical relevance, and analytical performance of liquid biopsy technologies. Biomarker types, detection methods, and implementation strategies were assessed to identify advancements and challenges in this field. Results: Liquid biopsy technologies, including circulating HPV DNA, ctDNA, and extracellular vesicles, demonstrated high sensitivity (90–95%) and specificity (>98%) in detecting HPV-positive HNSCC. These methods enabled real-time monitoring of tumor dynamics, early detection of recurrence, and insights into treatment resistance. Longitudinal analysis revealed that biomarker clearance during treatment correlates strongly with patient outcomes. Conclusions: Liquid biopsy is a transformative diagnostic and monitoring tool for HPV-associated HNSCC, offering minimally invasive, real-time insights into tumor biology. While challenges remain in standardization and clinical implementation, ongoing research and technological innovations hold promise for integrating liquid biopsy into personalized cancer care, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in “Cancer Biomarkers” for 2025–2026)
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