Abstract
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death; however, no specific serum biomarker is available till date for detection of early lung cancer. Despite good initial response to chemotherapy, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a poor prognosis. Therefore, it is important to identify molecular markers that might influence survival and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. The review aims to summarize the current knowledge of serum biomarkers in SCLC to improve diagnostic efficiency in the detection of tumor progression in lung cancer. The current knowledge on the known serum cytokines and tumor biomarkers of SCLC is emphasized. Recent findings in the search for novel diagnostic and therapeutic molecular markers using the emerging genomic technology for detecting lung cancer are also described. It is believed that implementing these new research techniques will facilitate and improve early detection, prognostication and better treatment of SCLC.
Highlights
Lung cancer is the most common cancer world over. It is classified into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Recent reports show the expression of selected neuroendocrine markers (CgA, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and synaptophysin) confirming the neuroendocrine origin of SCLC and found the content of two anti-neoplastic cytokines, IL-2 and IL-12 in the tumors [5]
DIAAD's capacity to elicit a robust response to broad range of nondominant cancer antigens uniquely expressed on SCLC allows generation of specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against SCLC antigens
Summary
Lung cancer is the most common cancer world over. It is classified into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recent reports show the expression of selected neuroendocrine markers (CgA, NSE and synaptophysin) confirming the neuroendocrine origin of SCLC and found the content of two anti-neoplastic cytokines, IL-2 and IL-12 in the tumors [5]. Expression of RT-PCR based amplification of transcripts in cancer but not in normal non-neoplastic cells suggests its use for the sensitive detection of rare disseminated or exfoliated cancer cells to improve cancer staging and early detection.
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