Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most frequent cancer type in young men and originate from the common precursor germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS). For decades, clinical management of patients with TGCT has relied on classic serum tumour markers: α-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin subunit-β and lactate dehydrogenase.
In the past 10 years, microRNAs have been shown to outperform classic serum tumour markers in the diagnosis of primary tumours and in follow-up monitoring and prediction of relapse. miR-371a-3p is the most consistent marker and exhibits >90% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in TGCT. However, miR-371a-3p cannot be used to diagnose GCNIS or mature teratoma. Future efforts must technically standardize the microRNA-based methods internationally and introduce miR-371a-3p as a molecular liquid biopsy-based marker for TGCTs in the clinic.
Nature reviews. Urology. 2020 Mar 10 [Epub ahead of print]
Kristian Almstrup, João Lobo, Nina Mørup, Gazanfer Belge, Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts, Leendert H J Looijenga, Klaus-Peter Dieckmann
Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. ., Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, Portugal., Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark., University Bremen, Faculty of Biology & Chemistry, Bremen, Germany., Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands. ., Department of Urology, Hodentumorzentrum Hamburg, Asklepios Klinik Altona, Hamburg, Germany. .
PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32157202