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Tumor markers can be molecules that are produced in higher amounts by cancer cells than normal cells, but can also be produced by other cells from a reaction with the cancer. [ 2 ] The markers can't be used to give patients a diagnosis but can be compared with the result of other tests like biopsy or imaging.
A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called molecular marker and signature molecule." [18] In cancer research and medicine, biomarkers are used in three primary ways: [19] To help diagnose conditions, as in the case of identifying early stage cancers (diagnostic)
M2-PK, as measured in feces, is a potential tumor marker for colorectal cancer.When measured in feces with a cutoff value of 4 U/ml, its sensitivity has been estimated to be 85% (with a 95% confidence interval of 65 to 96%) for colon cancer and 56% (confidence interval 41–74%) for rectal cancer. [1]
The CEA blood test is not reliable for diagnosing cancer or as a screening test for early detection of cancer. [8] Most types of cancer do not result in a high CEA level. [9] Serum from individuals with colorectal carcinoma often has higher levels of CEA than healthy individuals (above approximately 2.5ng/mL). [10]
Cancer biomarkers have an extremely high upside for therapeutic interventions in cancer patients. Most cancer biomarkers consist of proteins or altered segments of DNA, and are expressed in all cells, just at higher rates in cancer cells. There has not yet been one, universal tumor biomarker, but there is a biomarker for every type of cancer.
In addition to these common markers, there are prognostic markers specific to different cancer types. For example estrogen level, progesterone and HER2 are markers specific to breast cancer patients. There is evidence showing that genes behaving as tumor suppressors or carcinogens could act as prognostic markers due to altered gene expression ...