Predictive Biomarkers for Lung Cancer

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 2205

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Sygehus Lillebælt, Vejle Sygehus Beriderbakken 4, 7100 Vejle, Denmark
Interests: lung cancer; biomarker

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Lung cancer remains a formidable challenge in oncology, characterized by its diverse subtypes and often aggressive nature. The intricate landscape of lung malignancies, encompassing non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and various histological subtypes, underscores the need for precise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, the prognosis for many lung cancer patients remains poor, necessitating innovative approaches for early detection and tailored interventions.

In recent years, the role of biomarkers has emerged as a critical frontier in the pursuit of more effective lung cancer management. Biomarkers, ranging from genetic mutations and expression profiles to circulating molecules, hold the promise of revolutionizing both diagnostic precision and treatment outcomes. This Special Issue of the journal Cancers delves into the evolving landscape of biomarker research in lung cancer, aiming to shed light on recent breakthroughs and future directions in this dynamic field.

The advent of targeted therapies has redefined the treatment paradigm for certain subsets of lung cancer, with actionable mutations such as EGFR, ALK, and ROS1 paving the way for personalized medicine. The exploration of novel biomarkers, both predictive and prognostic, is expanding the repertoire of precision therapies. Additionally, immune checkpoint inhibitors have ushered in a new era in the immunotherapy landscape for lung cancer, offering unprecedented responses in a subset of patients.

However, challenges persist, particularly in the context of identifying biomarkers that transcend histological boundaries and predicting treatment responses in the heterogeneous landscape of lung cancer. The search for reliable biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of treatment responses is a focal point of ongoing research.

In this collection of articles, we present an overview of the current state of biomarker research in lung cancer, exploring the significance of emerging markers such as tumor mutational burden, PD-L1 expression, and liquid-biopsy-based approaches. As we navigate the complex terrain of lung cancer biomarkers, the articles within this Special Issue aim to provide valuable insights into the ongoing efforts to unravel the intricacies of this challenging disease. From predictive markers guiding targeted therapies to the dynamic landscape of immunotherapy, we invite readers to explore the forefront of biomarker-driven precision medicine in lung cancer.

Prof. Dr. Ole Hilberg
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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10 pages, 364 KiB  
Article
The Clinical Value of Pre-Diagnostic Thrombocytosis for the Detection of Lung Cancer in Primary Care
by Melissa Barlow, Willie Hamilton and Sarah E. R. Bailey
Cancers 2024, 16(6), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16061154 - 14 Mar 2024
Viewed by 767
Abstract
Thrombocytosis is a risk marker for lung cancer in primary care. We investigated whether thrombocytosis presents pre-diagnostically for all the histological subtypes of lung cancer and its association with the stage at diagnosis. A matched cohort study used English electronic primary care data [...] Read more.
Thrombocytosis is a risk marker for lung cancer in primary care. We investigated whether thrombocytosis presents pre-diagnostically for all the histological subtypes of lung cancer and its association with the stage at diagnosis. A matched cohort study used English electronic primary care data linked to the national cancer registry. Patients diagnosed with lung cancer aged ≥40 years with no prior history of malignancy were matched by age, sex, and general practice to five controls without lung cancer. Multivariable logistic regression models quantified the incidence of pre-diagnostic thrombocytosis and advanced-stage diagnoses, adjusting for COPD diagnosis, smoking status, and anti-platelet drug prescriptions. A total of 9504 cases were matched to 45,647 controls, consisting of 3260 (34%) adenocarcinomas (ADC), 2020 (21%) squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 70 (<1%) large-cell carcinomas (LCC), and 1089 (12%) small-cell lung cancers (SCLC). The patients with lung cancer were 8.9 (95% CI 8.0–9.9) times more likely to exhibit pre-diagnostic thrombocytosis than the controls. The odds ratios were highest for the comparison between SCC and ADC (1.8, 95% CI 1.5–2.1). Thrombocytosis is associated with advanced-stage ADC and SCC but presented equally for early- and advanced-stage SCLC. Pre-diagnostic thrombocytosis may aid in the detection of all the histological subtypes in primary care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Predictive Biomarkers for Lung Cancer)
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18 pages, 2408 KiB  
Systematic Review
Methylated Cell-Free Tumor DNA in Sputum as a Tool for Diagnosing Lung Cancer—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Sara Witting Christensen Wen, Morten Borg, Signe Timm, Torben Frøstrup Hansen, Ole Hilberg and Rikke Fredslund Andersen
Cancers 2024, 16(3), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16030506 - 24 Jan 2024
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Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis is pivotal for the prognosis. There is a notable overlap between lung cancer and chronic bronchitis, and the potential use of methylated tumor DNA in sputum as a biomarker for lung [...] Read more.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis is pivotal for the prognosis. There is a notable overlap between lung cancer and chronic bronchitis, and the potential use of methylated tumor DNA in sputum as a biomarker for lung cancer detection is appealing. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the PRISMA 2020 statement. A comprehensive search was conducted in Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, using these search strings: Lung cancer, sputum, and methylated tumor DNA. A total of 15 studies met the eligibility criteria. Studies predominantly utilized a case–control design, with sensitivity ranging from 10 to 93% and specificity from 8 to 100%. A meta-analysis of all genes across studies resulted in a summary sensitivity of 54.3% (95% CI 49.4–59.2%) and specificity of 79.7% (95% CI 75.0–83.7%). Notably, two less explored genes (TAC1, SOX17) demonstrated sensitivity levels surpassing 85%. The study’s findings highlight substantial variations in the sensitivity and specificity of methylated tumor DNA in sputum for lung cancer detection. Challenges in reproducibility could stem from differences in tumor site, sample acquisition, extraction methods, and methylation measurement techniques. This meta-analysis provides a foundation for prioritizing high-performing genes, calling for a standardization and refinement of methodologies before potential application in clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Predictive Biomarkers for Lung Cancer)
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