Circulating NETosis biomarkers in oncology.

Area of Science:

• Biomarkers
• Oncology
• Laboratory Medicine

Background:

• Minimally invasive circulating biomarkers are crucial for cancer management.
• Neutrophil activation and NETosis are key processes in cancer-related inflammation and thrombosis.
• Biomarkers like myeloperoxidase and cell-free DNA can be detected in blood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diagnostic, prognostic, and monitoring capabilities of neutrophil activation and NETosis biomarkers in cancer.
• To assess their implications for clinical chemistry and diagnostic laboratory medicine.
• To identify challenges and opportunities for clinical implementation.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing evidence on neutrophil activation and NETosis biomarkers in cancer.
• Synthesis of data on associations with clinicopathological features, survival, inflammation, and thrombosis.
• Analysis of laboratory parameters influencing clinical implementation and interpretive issues.

Main Results:

• These biomarkers are linked to adverse clinicopathological features, poor survival, systemic inflammation, and cancer-related thrombosis.
• Potential applications include risk stratification, complication evaluation, and disease tracking.
• Challenges include assay heterogeneity, lack of standardization, and limited disease specificity.

Conclusions:

• Translating these biomarkers into routine practice requires harmonized assays, standardized workflows, and prospective clinical validation.
• Demonstrating incremental value is essential for patient management.
• These emerging biomarkers offer opportunities but face constraints in laboratory medicine.