Publications Repository

Publications Repository

View Item 
  •   Home
  • ICR Divisions
  • Radiotherapy and Imaging
  • View Item
  • Home
  • ICR Divisions
  • Radiotherapy and Imaging
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

The present and future of serum diagnostic tests for testicular germ cell tumours.

Thumbnail
View/Open
Accepted version (335.7Kb)
Publication Date
2016-12
ICR Author
Huddart, Robert
Author
Murray, MJ
Huddart, RA
Coleman, N
Type
Journal Article
Metadata
Show full item record
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs) are the most common malignancy occurring in young adult men and the incidence of these tumours is increasing. Current research priorities in this field include improving overall survival for patients classified as being 'poor-risk' and reducing late effects of treatment for patients classified as 'good-risk'. Testicular GCTs are broadly classified into seminomas and nonseminomatous GCTs (NSGCTs). The conventional serum protein tumour markers α-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) show some utility in the management of testicular malignant GCT. However, AFP and hCG display limited sensitivity and specificity, being indicative of yolk sac tumour (AFP) and choriocarcinoma or syncytiotrophoblast (hCG) subtypes. Furthermore, LDH is a very nonspecific biomarker. Consequently, seminomas and NSGCTs comprising a pure embryonal carcinoma subtype are generally negative for these conventional markers. As a result, novel universal biomarkers for testicular malignant GCTs are required. MicroRNAs are short, non-protein-coding RNAs that show much general promise as biomarkers. MicroRNAs from two 'clusters', miR-371-373 and miR-302-367, are overexpressed in all malignant GCTs, regardless of age (adult or paediatric), site (gonadal or extragonadal) and subtype (seminomas, yolk sac tumours or embryonal carcinomas). A panel of four circulating microRNAs from these two clusters (miR-371a-3p, miR-372-3p, miR-373-3p and miR-367-3p) is highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of malignant GCT, including seminoma and embryonal carcinoma. In the future, circulating microRNAs might be useful in diagnosis, disease monitoring and prognostication of malignant testicular GCTs, which might also reduce reliance on serial CT scanning. For translation into clinical practice, important practical considerations now need addressing.
URL
https://repository.icr.ac.uk/handle/internal/427
Collections
  • Radiotherapy and Imaging
Licenseref URL
http://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved
Version of record
10.1038/nrurol.2016.170
Subject
Humans
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal
Testicular Neoplasms
Chorionic Gonadotropin
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
alpha-Fetoproteins
MicroRNAs
Diagnostic Tests, Routine
Neoplasm Staging
Prognosis
Sensitivity and Specificity
Male
Biomarkers, Tumor
Research team
Clinical Academic Radiotherapy (Huddart)
Language
eng
Date accepted
2016-10-18
License start date
2016-12
Citation
Nature reviews. Urology, 2016, 13 (12), pp. 715 - 725

Browse

All of ICR repositoryICR DivisionsIssue dateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis collectionIssue dateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

Statistics

Most popular itemsStatistics by countryMost popular authors
  • Login
  • Registered office: The Institute of Cancer Research, 123 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3RP
    A Charity, Not for Profit. Company Limited by Guarantee.
    Registered in England No. 534147. VAT Registration No. GB 849 0581 02.