Molecular biomarkers of lung carcinoma

Lung carcinoma is still the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women. There is a constantly increasing need to find molecular biomarkers for lung cancer which can be used for risk stratification, early detection, treatment selection, prognosis and monitoring for recurrence. Recent advances in imaging and improved bronchoscopic techniques have intensified interest in lung carcinoma screening techniques, especially in new molecular markers which can help cytopathologists to make a definitive diagnosis on very small specimens in non-invasive, non-expensive, simple and efficient manner. Several decades of intensive research have originated numerous potential lung carcinoma molecular biomarkers but only few turned out to be useful in clinic. The review describes types of biomarkers, sources and techniques for their identification in cancer diagnosis and therapy. A deep understanding of each biomarker will be a key to efficiently diagnose lung carcinomas and direct patients toward beneficial drugs based on individual patient profile.