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Neuroendocrine-Related Circulating Transcripts in Small-Cell Lung Cancers: Detection Methods and Future Perspectives
Lucia Anna Muscarella1, Tommaso Mazza2, Federico Pio Fabrizio1
1Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 Foggia, Italy.
Abstract:
No well-established prognostic or predictive molecular markers of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) are currently available; therefore, all patients receive standard treatment. Adequate quantities and quality of tissue samples are frequently unavailable to perform a molecular analysis of SCLC, which appears more heterogeneous and dynamic than expected. The implementation of techniques to study circulating tumor cells could offer a suitable alternative to expand the knowledge of the molecular basis of a tumor. In this context, the advantage of SCLC circulating cells to express some specific markers to be explored in blood as circulating transcripts could offer a great opportunity in distinguishing and managing different SCLC phenotypes. Here, we present a summary of published data and new findings about the detection methods and potential application of a group of neuroendocrine related transcripts in the peripheral blood of SCLC patients. In the era of new treatments, easy and rapid detection of informative biomarkers in blood warrants further investigation, since it represents an important option to obtain essential information for disease monitoring and/or better treatment choices.
Insights
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) lacks molecular markers for personalized treatment. Studying circulating tumor cells and neuroendocrine transcripts in blood offers a promising alternative for SCLC phenotyping and management.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) lacks established prognostic and predictive molecular markers, necessitating standard treatment for all patients.
- Tissue sample limitations hinder comprehensive molecular analysis of SCLC, revealing unexpected heterogeneity and dynamism.
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer a viable alternative for molecular profiling when tissue is insufficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of circulating neuroendocrine-related transcripts in peripheral blood as biomarkers for SCLC.
- To summarize current detection methods and applications of these blood-based biomarkers.
- To investigate the utility of circulating transcripts for distinguishing SCLC phenotypes and guiding treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of published data on SCLC circulating transcripts.
- Presentation of new findings on detection methods for neuroendocrine-related transcripts in blood.
- Analysis of the potential clinical applications of these biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Neuroendocrine-related transcripts in SCLC circulating cells show promise as detectable blood biomarkers.
- These circulating transcripts may help differentiate SCLC phenotypes.
- The study highlights the feasibility of using blood-based markers for SCLC analysis.
Conclusions:
- Circulating neuroendocrine-related transcripts represent a valuable tool for SCLC molecular analysis, overcoming tissue accessibility issues.
- Blood-based biomarker detection offers a rapid and accessible method for SCLC monitoring and treatment selection.
- Further investigation into these circulating transcripts is crucial for advancing SCLC patient management.
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