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Biologic tools to personalize treatment in genitourinary cancers

Sergio Bracarda1, Michele Sisani, Sabrina Del Buono

  • 1U.O.C. Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, San Donato Hospital, AUSL8 Arezzo, Italy. sergio.bracarda@usl8.toscana.it

Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
|January 15, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Biomarkers for genitourinary (GU) cancers are being investigated for personalized treatment. However, current evidence does not support their use outside clinical trials, highlighting the need for further research.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genitourinary Oncology

Background:

  • Genitourinary (GU) cancers pose a significant challenge in modern oncology.
  • Despite efforts, treatment advancements have been limited, except possibly for renal cell carcinoma.
  • Numerous molecular markers have been identified for potential patient stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the current utility of biomarkers for personalizing treatment in GU cancers.
  • To determine if identified markers have sufficient evidence for clinical application.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and EMBASE.
  • Searched terms focused on prognostic and predictive markers in renal, prostate, and urothelial cancers.
  • Studies were filtered to exclude preclinical data and markers lacking predictive value.

Main Results:

  • 654 relevant publications were identified after initial screening of 3546 articles.
  • Potential markers included N-telopeptide, HER2/neu, EGFR, p53 (prostate), sVEGF-A (RCC), and EMMPRIN, Survivin (urothelial).
  • None of the examined biomarkers demonstrated sufficient evidence for routine clinical use outside trials.

Conclusions:

  • Currently, no reliable biomarkers are validated for tailoring treatment strategies in GU cancers.
  • There is an urgent need for future research to validate biomarkers for personalized GU cancer therapy.

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