The current serum tumour markers α-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin, and lactate dehydrogenase show limited value for testicular cancer relapse detection. A recent study highlights that false-positive elevations in follow-up monitoring are common and, conversely, many patients do not have elevations despite proven relapse. These findings highlight the potential for circulating microRNAs to be used as improved biomarkers for relapse detection.
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge grant funding from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (reference PAR-18-317; UH3CA240688), the St. Baldrick’s Foundation (reference 358099) and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC-1215-20014). They are grateful for support from the Max Williamson Fund and from Christiane and Alan Hodson, in memory of their daughter Olivia.
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Murray, M.J., Scarpini, C.G. & Coleman, N. Serum tumour markers for testicular cancer recurrence. Nat Rev Urol 20, 459–460 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41585-023-00782-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41585-023-00782-7
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