An Up-Date on the Molecular Biomarkers as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Human Testicular Germ Cell Tumors

Abstract

Although testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are relatively uncommon, they are particularly important as they tend to affect children and young men, representing the most common tumor in male aged from 20 to 40 years, and the in- cidence has increased in the last years. TGCTs comprise two major histologic groups: seminomas and non-seminomas germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). NSGCTs can be further divided into embryonal, carcinoma, teratoma, yolk sac tumor, and choriocarcinoma. Seminomas and NSGCTs present significant differences in clinical features, therapy, and prognosis, and both show characteristics of the Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs). For proper diagnosis of the different histological sub- groups, immunohistochemistry is required using different molecular markers, such as HMGA1, HMGA2, Aurora B, Nek2, and others and they could represent useful novel molecular targets for antineoplastic strategies. Recent develop- ments such as the discovery or the role of miRNAs in oncogenesis also revealed highly interesting features of TGCTs. Specific miRNAs were shown to be involved in bypassing the WT p53 pathway, which is another characteristic of TGCTs. More insight into the pathogenesis of TGCTs is likely to contribute not only to better treatment of these tumors but also to a better understanding of stem cells and oncogenesis.