MicroRNA-371a-3p—The Novel Serum Biomarker in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors
Introduction: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are a paradigm for the use of serum tumor markers in clinical management. However, conventional markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have quite limited sensitivities and spe...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-08-01
|
| Series: | Cancers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/15/3944 |
| _version_ | 1797586975799115776 |
|---|---|
| author | Tim Nestler Justine Schoch Gazanfer Belge Klaus-Peter Dieckmann |
| author_facet | Tim Nestler Justine Schoch Gazanfer Belge Klaus-Peter Dieckmann |
| author_sort | Tim Nestler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are a paradigm for the use of serum tumor markers in clinical management. However, conventional markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have quite limited sensitivities and specificities. Within the last decade, the microRNA-371a-3p (miR371) emerged as a possible new biomarker with promising features. Areas covered: This review covers the typical features as well as possible clinical applications of miR371 in TGCT patients, such as initial diagnosis, therapy monitoring, and follow-up. Additionally, technical issues are discussed. Expert opinion: With a sensitivity of around 90% and specificity >90%, miR371 clearly outperforms the classical serum tumor markers in TGCTs. The unique features of the test involve the potential of modifying recent standards of care in TGCT. In particular, miR371 is expected to aid clinical decision-making in scenarios such as discriminating small testicular TGCT masses from benign ones prior to surgery, assessing equivocal lymphadenopathies, and monitoring chemotherapy results. Likewise, it is expected to make follow-up easier by reducing the intensity of examinations and by sparing imaging procedures. Overall, the data presently available are promising, but further prospective studies are required before the test can be implemented in standard clinical care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:30:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d75758124fc240108618ff654b2e87b4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6694 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:30:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cancers |
| spelling | doaj.art-d75758124fc240108618ff654b2e87b42023-11-18T22:43:30ZengMDPI AGCancers2072-66942023-08-011515394410.3390/cancers15153944MicroRNA-371a-3p—The Novel Serum Biomarker in Testicular Germ Cell TumorsTim Nestler0Justine Schoch1Gazanfer Belge2Klaus-Peter Dieckmann3Department of Urology, Federal Armed Forces Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, GermanyDepartment of Urology, Federal Armed Forces Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, GermanyDepartment of Tumour Genetics, University Bremen, 28359 Bremen, GermanyDepartment of Urology, Asklepios Klinik Altona, 22763 Hamburg, GermanyIntroduction: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are a paradigm for the use of serum tumor markers in clinical management. However, conventional markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have quite limited sensitivities and specificities. Within the last decade, the microRNA-371a-3p (miR371) emerged as a possible new biomarker with promising features. Areas covered: This review covers the typical features as well as possible clinical applications of miR371 in TGCT patients, such as initial diagnosis, therapy monitoring, and follow-up. Additionally, technical issues are discussed. Expert opinion: With a sensitivity of around 90% and specificity >90%, miR371 clearly outperforms the classical serum tumor markers in TGCTs. The unique features of the test involve the potential of modifying recent standards of care in TGCT. In particular, miR371 is expected to aid clinical decision-making in scenarios such as discriminating small testicular TGCT masses from benign ones prior to surgery, assessing equivocal lymphadenopathies, and monitoring chemotherapy results. Likewise, it is expected to make follow-up easier by reducing the intensity of examinations and by sparing imaging procedures. Overall, the data presently available are promising, but further prospective studies are required before the test can be implemented in standard clinical care.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/15/3944MicroRNAmiRNAbiomarkertesticular cancergerm cell tumor |
| spellingShingle | Tim Nestler Justine Schoch Gazanfer Belge Klaus-Peter Dieckmann MicroRNA-371a-3p—The Novel Serum Biomarker in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors Cancers MicroRNA miRNA biomarker testicular cancer germ cell tumor |
| title | MicroRNA-371a-3p—The Novel Serum Biomarker in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors |
| title_full | MicroRNA-371a-3p—The Novel Serum Biomarker in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors |
| title_fullStr | MicroRNA-371a-3p—The Novel Serum Biomarker in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors |
| title_full_unstemmed | MicroRNA-371a-3p—The Novel Serum Biomarker in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors |
| title_short | MicroRNA-371a-3p—The Novel Serum Biomarker in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors |
| title_sort | microrna 371a 3p the novel serum biomarker in testicular germ cell tumors |
| topic | MicroRNA miRNA biomarker testicular cancer germ cell tumor |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/15/3944 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT timnestler microrna371a3pthenovelserumbiomarkerintesticulargermcelltumors AT justineschoch microrna371a3pthenovelserumbiomarkerintesticulargermcelltumors AT gazanferbelge microrna371a3pthenovelserumbiomarkerintesticulargermcelltumors AT klauspeterdieckmann microrna371a3pthenovelserumbiomarkerintesticulargermcelltumors |