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Published on: January 9, 2019
Testicular germ cell tumors and molecular biomarkers
Bruno Oliveira-Lopes1, Nuno Tiago Tavares1,2, João Lobo1,3,4
1Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca).
Purpose Of Review:
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common neoplasms in young-adult males. Despite their good prognosis and high curability, some challenges remain, namely: overtreatment, discrimination of teratoma, prediction of relapse and cisplatin resistance. Novel molecular biomarkers are being tested for future clinical implementation.
Recent Findings:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the most promising approach for noninvasive diagnosis of TGCTs. MiR-371a-3p has shown high sensitivity and specificity in many studies with different approaches and is in line to enter clinical routine soon. Novel immunohistochemistry (IHC) biomarkers like FOXA2 have been advanced for yolk sac tumor diagnosis. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection constitutes a promising test in the field.
Summary:
Further studies on additional noninvasive biomarkers with high sensitivity are necessary. In this setting, miR-371a-3p remains the most promising biomarker, approaching clinical implementation soon. Other promising approaches are being studied but to date with significantly less accuracy than miR-371a-3p. Future studies on liquid biopsies should focus on the detection of teratoma and prediction of relapse, with the field of miRNAs and ctDNA being the most promising.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise for diagnosing testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) noninvasively. MiR-371a-3p is nearing clinical use, offering high accuracy for TGCT detection and relapse prediction.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are common in young men.
- Current challenges include overtreatment, teratoma discrimination, relapse prediction, and cisplatin resistance.
- Novel molecular biomarkers are under investigation for improved clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in molecular biomarkers for TGCT diagnosis and management.
- To highlight promising noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic tools.
- To identify areas for future research in biomarker development.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on TGCT biomarkers.
- Analysis of studies evaluating microRNAs (miRNAs), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
- Focus on noninvasive biomarker approaches for diagnosis, relapse prediction, and disease monitoring.
Main Results:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs), particularly miR-371a-3p, demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity for noninvasive TGCT diagnosis and are nearing clinical implementation.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) biomarkers like FOXA2 show potential for yolk sac tumor diagnosis.
- Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) shows promise for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection.
Conclusions:
- MiR-371a-3p is the most promising biomarker for TGCTs, with potential for near-term clinical use.
- Further research into additional sensitive, noninvasive biomarkers is needed.
- Liquid biopsies, including miRNAs and ctDNA, are key for future advancements in teratoma detection and relapse prediction.
