Circulating Biomarkers in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer management has progressed immensely over the decades, but the disease is still a major source of morbidit y and mortalit y worldwide. Even with enhanced imaging detection and tissue biopsy capabilities, disease can progress on an ineffective treatment before additional information is obtained through standard methods of response evaluation, including the RECIST 1.1 cr iter ia, widely used for assessment of treatment response and benefit from therapy. 6 Circulating biomarkers have the potential to provide valuable insight into disease progression and response to therapy, and they can serve to identify actionable mutations and tumor characteristics that can direct therapy. These biomarkers can be collected at higher frequencies than imaging or tissue sampling, potentially allowing for more informed management. This review will evaluate the roles of circulating biomarkers in breast cancer, including the ser um mar kers Carcinoembryonic antigen CA15-3, CA27-29, HER2 ECD, and investigatory markers such as GP88; and the components of the liquid biopsy, including circulating tumor cells, cell free DNA/DNA methylation, circulating tumor DNA, and circulating microRNA.

The EGFR Signaling Modulates in Mesenchymal Stem Cells the Expression of miRNAs Involved in the Interaction with Breast Cancer Cells

“…Detection of circulating miRNAs might have prognostic implications. In this regard, circulating miRNA signatures have been associated with the outcome of TNBC patients [ 40 , 41 ]. In addition, some studies explored the potential of circulating miRNAs for monitoring the response to treatment using liquid biopsy [ 40 ].…”

“…In this regard, circulating miRNA signatures have been associated with the outcome of TNBC patients [ 40 , 41 ]. In addition, some studies explored the potential of circulating miRNAs for monitoring the response to treatment using liquid biopsy [ 40 ]. In this context, the analysis of the levels of expression of miR-23c might be potentially useful for providing prognostic or predictive information in TNBC patients.…”

Potential utility of miRNAs for liquid biopsy in breast cancer

“…LB is undoubtedly considered one of the most perspective detection approaches for many cancers including BC. Indeed, LB allows the detection of circulating tumor components such as cancer cells, RNA, or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in liquid specimens ( 13 ). Despite their low concentrations in the liquid samples, they still can be used as indicators and biomarkers of cancer.…”

PCDHB15 as a potential tumor suppressor and epigenetic biomarker for breast cancer

“…Liquid biopsy from bodily fluid, such as circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), circulating tumor cells and exosomes, is minimally invasive and has proven both convenient and effective in cancer diagnosis ( 7 , 8 ). The quantity of cfDNA in the blood can be used to characterize tumorigenesis, inflammatory disease and stroke ( 9 ).…”