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Emerging Role of Biomarkers in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors

  • Genitourinary Cancers (DP Petrylak and JW Kim, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review will focus on biomarkers in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT), focusing on microRNAs with high potential clinical application to drive management of TGCT. We explore the mechanism of action of microRNAs, literature to date, and how microRNAs may be incorporated into clinical practice in the near future.

Recent Findings

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs found in blood which play an important role in post-transcriptional gene regulation and have been explored in TGCT for the past 15 years. More recently, results show they are promising biomarkers for diagnosis with impressive sensitivity and specificity, while also being cost-effective.

Summary

MicroRNAs will likely play a critical role in areas of unmet need in GCT in the next decade, as they have many of the characteristics of an ideal biomarker. Ongoing prospective clinical trials evaluating microRNA-371 will be eagerly awaited and will help inform decision-making in real-world application.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BC Cancer, Division of Medical Oncology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Maryam Soleimani, Christian Kollmannsberger & Lucia Nappi

  2. Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Lucia Nappi

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  1. Maryam Soleimani
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Correspondence to Lucia Nappi.

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Conflict of Interest

Maryam Soleimani has received research funding from AbbVie, Astellas, and Bayer, and has received compensation for service as a consultant from Ipsen and Pfizer. Christian Kollmannsberger has received honoraria for presentations from Ipsen, Bayer, BMS, Pfizer, and Merck, and has served on advisory boards for Pfizer, Astellas, Merck, Janssen, BMS, Eisai, Ipsen, Bayer, EMD Serono, Novartis. Lucia Nappi has received research funding from Ipsen and Janssen, and has received compensation for service as a consultant from Bayer and Ipsen.

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Soleimani, M., Kollmannsberger, C. & Nappi, L. Emerging Role of Biomarkers in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Curr Oncol Rep 24, 437–442 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-022-01231-1

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