Published in:
01-09-2012 | Review Article
Impact of serum biomarkers on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors:
Hideaki Shimada, Satoshi Yajima, Yoko Oshima, Takaki Hiwasa, Masatoshi Tagawa, Kazuyuki Matsushita, Fumio Nomura
Published in:
Esophagus
|
Issue 3/2012
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Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is frequently associated with a high mortality rate as a result of late diagnosis and/or aggressive behavior. Although multimodal treatment is applied for advanced tumors, many patients suffer from progressive disease and rapid recurrence. Besides various imaging techniques, serum biomarkers should also be useful for early diagnosing and treatment monitoring. A comprehensive review is provided here mainly on advancements of our clinical research in serum biomarkers to diagnose and/or monitor esophageal SCC. First, we focused on conventional secretory type serum markers, SCC-antigen and CYFRA 21-1. Both serum markers are useful to predict high-risk patients to develop recurrent disease. Second, we reviewed the clinicopathological significance of various angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor, thymidine phosphorylase, fibroblast growth factor, midkine, and hepatocyte growth factor. These growth factors could be useful biomarkers to predict lymph node and/or distant metastases. Finally, we reviewed advancements of clinical research on autoantibodies against tumor-specific antigens, particularly focused on serum p53 antibody. Because serum antibodies frequently respond to a small volume of tumors, they are useful in early tumor detection and prediction of residual cancer cells. Serum biomarkers may be a useful tool in the management of esophageal SCC.