Novel biomarkers of metastatic cancer

Once metastatic disease is documented, cure is no longer the goal and the disease is generally associated with poor outcomes, with the majority of patients dying of their disease rather than other causes. The last three decades have seen significant advances in the genomics, proteomics and molecular pathology of biomarkers in cancer, allowing for individualization of therapy that has significantly and positively impacted survival outcomes. Genetic signatures have been identified that can predict not only the future development of metastases, but also the development of specific sites of metastases. Protein biomarkers have been identified that are in use clinically for the monitoring of both disease progression and therapeutic efficacy. DNA- and RNA-based biomarkers have also been identified. This review will focus on some of the novel biomarkers that have been developed over the last decade.