Association between tumor markers and anemia: a short review

Abstract

Tumor markers are a group of molecules used to diagnose certain diseases, including cancer. These molecules can alter cellular pathways, including those associated with some anemias, by expressing or influencing certain cellular mediators. The present study is based on data obtained from the PubMed database (1970–2019) using the key words ‘tumor markers’, ’anemia’ and ‘iron’. We found that some tumor markers can affect hepcidin expression and iron uptake by altering cell pathways. Several other tumor markers also increase in some anemias, so that they can sometimes be used to diagnose and confirm the type of anemia. The role of some tumor markers remains unclear despite the increase in some anemias. In general, some tumor markers are involved in the pathophysiology of a numer of anemias or help diagnose anemia. However, studies of the role of tumor markers in the diagnosis, development or progression of anemias have been very limited.