Biomarkers in prostate cancer - Current clinical utility and future perspectives

Abstract

Current tendencies in the treatment course of prostate cancer patients increase the need for reliable biomarkers that help in decision-making in a challenging clinical setting. Within the last decade, several novel biomarkers have been introduced. In the following comprehensive review article, we focus on diagnostic (PHI^®, 4K score, SelectMDx^®, ConfirmMDx^®, PCA3, MiPS, ExoDX^®, mpMRI) and prognostic (OncotypeDX GPS^®, Prolaris^®, ProMark^®, DNA-ploidy, Decipher^®) biomarkers that are in widespread clinical use and are supported by evidence. Hereby, we focus on multiple clinical situations in which innovative biomarkers may guide decision-making in prostate cancer therapy. In addition, we describe novel liquid biopsy approaches (circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA) that have been described as predictive biomarkers in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and might support an individual patient-centred oncological approach in the nearer future.

Keywords: Biomarker; Genetic marker; Molecular marker; Predictive; Prognostic; Prostate cancer.