scholarly journals Serum tumor markers and their utilization in the management of germ-cell tumors in adult males

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Salem ◽  
Timothy Gilligan
2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D. Gilligan ◽  
Daniel F. Hayes ◽  
Jerome Seidenfeld ◽  
Sarah Temin

An examination of serum tumor markers for monitoring or surveillance for each histologic germ cell tumor subtype: seminoma and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 759
Author(s):  
Nina Mørup ◽  
Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts ◽  
Anders Juul ◽  
Gedske Daugaard ◽  
Kristian Almstrup

New microRNA-based serum biomarkers (miRNA-367-3p, -371a-3p, -372-3p, and -373-3p) have shown great potential for the detection of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), but few studies have investigated the clinical utility and performance of these tests in treatment monitoring. In this study, circulating miRNA levels were measured, together with serum tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 406 consecutive blood samples obtained during the treatment and follow-up of 52 TGCT patients at the Copenhagen University Hospital. After testing three different methods of RNA isolation from peripheral blood and PCR quantification in a subset of samples (n = 15), the best performing setup of targeted isolation of miRNAs inside and outside exosomes was selected to analyze all samples. At primary diagnosis, the miRNAs significantly outperformed the serum tumor markers, with a sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 100% (based on 40 patients), respectively. The picture was not as clear when patient trajectories were investigated, with both positive and negative signals for miRNAs and serum tumor markers. To establish whether measuring miRNAs adds value beyond the primary diagnosis, large prospective clinical trials comparing miRNAs and classical tumor markers during the treatment and follow-up of TGCT patients are needed.


1984 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 412-412
Author(s):  
G.L. Bosl ◽  
N.L. Geller ◽  
C. Cirrincione ◽  
J. Nisselbaum ◽  
D. Vugrin ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 1083-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Marshall ◽  
Michael Enzerra ◽  
Amir Ata Rahnemai-Azar ◽  
Nikhil H. Ramaiya

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 610-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
LaMont J. Barlow ◽  
Gina M. Badalato ◽  
James M. McKiernan

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
Aditya Bagrodia ◽  
Siamak Daneshmand ◽  
Liang Cheng ◽  
James Amatruda ◽  
Matthew Murray ◽  
...  

Testicular germ cell tumor (GCT) is the most common malignancy in 18- to 40-year-old men. Unlike most other cancers, GCT is frequently curable even when metastatic. These tumors can be classified histologically into seminoma and non-seminoma, which determines treatment. Therefore, successful treatment requires accurate diagnosis, classification, and monitoring. Serum tumor markers, including lactate dehydrogenase, α-fetoprotein, and β-human chorionic gonadotropin, aid in the classification and staging of GCTs. These markers therefore play a critical role in the decision-making process when managing GCT patients. However, there exist many scenarios in which these markers fail to perform adequately. This is particularly true in the case of seminoma, where only 10% to 15% will have elevated serum tumor markers. Non-specific elevation of these markers is also a common occurrence, complicating the interpretation of borderline positive results, particularly in follow-up. To bridge this gap in performance, next generation biomarkers are being investigated. In this review, we consider the role of conventional serum tumor markers in GCT management and discuss recent advances in the next generation of biomarkers, with a focus on circulating microRNAs. We discuss the value that circulating microRNAs could bring as an addition to currently used markers, as well as potential weaknesses, in GCT management.


Author(s):  
Yue Che ◽  
Achim Lusch ◽  
Christian Winter ◽  
Robert Große Siemer ◽  
Carolin Buddensieck ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Late relapsing germ cell tumors (LR-GCT) are considered a rare distinct biologic entity as their clinical presentation and response to treatment is different to early recurrences. While serum tumor markers (AFP and ß-HCG) play an important role at the time of first diagnosis to correctly classify prognosis and treatment of germ cell tumors, they may not have the same significance in a late relapse situation. Patients and methods Thirty-seven patients with LR-GCT with elevated serum tumor markers were identified in our database. Twenty-six patients underwent primary surgical resection of the late relapsing tumor. Eleven patients received salvage chemotherapy and a post-chemotherapy residual tumor resection. Serum tumor markers, histological findings and oncological outcome were analyzed. Results In the histopathological specimen, viable cancer was found in 20 cases (54%) and teratoma was found in 16 cases (43%). In nine cases (24%), a somatic-type malignant transformation was present. In 19 of 37 patients (51.4%), the late relapse specimen presented a histological type of GCT, which was not present in the primary histology. Twenty-two patients (59.5%) were included in follow-up analysis. Mean and median follow-up time was 62.2 and 53 months, respectively. Seventeen patients (77.3%) suffered a relapse or had progressive disease after LR therapy. Five patients (22.7%) have been relapse-free after LR therapy (mean FU 61.6 months). Ten patients died of disease during follow-up (45.5%) and had a mean time from LR to death of 66.4 months. Eleven patients were alive at last follow-up (mean FU 62.2 months). Relapse and survival rate were similar between patients who received primary resection of LR tumor and patients who received salvage chemotherapy followed by surgery. Conclusion Patients with a late relapsing germ cell tumor and elevated markers have a poor prognosis and a high risk for another relapse independent on primary treatment. The histological type and aggressiveness of a late relapsing tumor cannot be predicted with serum tumor marker levels at the time of diagnosis of LR. In up to 54% of cases, primary histology did not coincide with LR histology. Therefore, we propose primary surgical resection of a late relapsing tumor if a complete resection is feasible in order to gain exact histology and tailor further treatment.


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