Potential biomarkers for lung cancer screening

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomarker Discovery
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) shows promise but faces challenges.
• Debates persist regarding the cost-benefit analysis and implementation of LDCT screening.
• Key concerns include identifying high-risk individuals, optimizing diagnostic algorithms, managing lung nodules, and high false positive rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review candidate biomarkers circulating in serum or plasma for lung cancer.
• To focus on biomarkers that have reached advanced validation phases, particularly within LDCT screening cohorts.
• To highlight the potential of host-tumor interaction biomarkers for early cancer detection.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on circulating biomarkers for lung cancer.
• Focus on biomarkers validated in the context of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening.
• Analysis of biomarkers reflecting the host's biological response to developing cancer.

Main Results:

• Several candidate biomarkers in serum/plasma have reached advanced validation stages.
• These biomarkers show potential for improving the identification of individuals at high risk for lung cancer.
• Biomarkers offer a strategy to address issues like high false positive rates in LDCT screening.

Conclusions:

• Circulating biomarkers are a valuable complementary strategy to enhance lung cancer screening.
• Focusing on the host-tumor interplay can reveal early biological changes indicative of cancer.
• Biomarker research can help optimize the effectiveness and cost-benefit profile of LDCT lung cancer screening.