Demystifying Cancer Markers: What They Can and Can't Tell You

Certainly! Below is a detailed list of cancer marker tests along with their specific applications and significance:

1. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): Used primarily for prostate cancer screening, monitoring treatment response, and detecting disease recurrence in prostate cancer patients.

2. CA-125 (Cancer Antigen 125): Elevated in ovarian cancer, used for diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and detecting recurrence in ovarian cancer patients.

3. CA 19-9 (Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9): Elevated in pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and other gastrointestinal cancers. Used for diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and detecting recurrence.

4. CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen): Elevated in colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other gastrointestinal cancers. Used for diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and detecting recurrence.

5. AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein): Elevated in liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and certain germ cell tumours. Used for diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and detecting recurrence.

6. CA 15-3 and CA 27-29: Elevated in breast cancer. Used for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence in breast cancer patients.

7. HE4 (Human Epididymis Protein 4): Used in combination with CA-125 for monitoring ovarian cancer patients, especially in assessing response to treatment and detecting recurrence.

8. HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2): Indicates HER2-positive breast cancer. Used for treatment decision-making, as HER2-targeted therapies are effective in HER2-positive breast cancer.

9. BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genetic Testing: Identifies mutations in BRCA genes associated with increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Used for risk assessment, screening, and guiding preventive measures.

10. EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) Mutation Testing: Helps guide targeted therapy for lung cancer and other cancers with EGFR mutations, as EGFR inhibitors are effective in EGFR-mutated cancers.

11. KRAS Mutation Testing: Guides treatment decisions for colorectal cancer and certain other cancers with KRAS mutations, as KRAS mutations may impact response to certain therapies.

12. TP53 Mutation Testing: Identifies mutations in the TP53 gene associated with various cancers, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancers. Used for prognosis and treatment decision-making.

13. Ki-67 (Marker of Cell Proliferation): Measures cell proliferation rate and helps assess tumour aggressiveness and response to treatment in various cancers.

14. ER, PR, and HER2 Status (Breast Cancer): Determines hormone receptor (ER, PR) and HER2 status in breast cancer, guiding treatment decisions such as hormone therapy and HER2-targeted therapy.

15. Vimentin: Associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells and metastasis. Used for assessing tumour invasiveness and metastatic potential.

16. CAIX (Carbonic Anhydrase IX): Elevated in renal cell carcinoma and other cancers. Used as a marker for hypoxia and as a potential target for therapy.

17. MUC1 (Mucin 1): Overexpressed in many cancers, including breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. Used as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker.

18. PSMA (Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen): Used in imaging and targeted therapy for prostate cancer, particularly in prostate-specific PET imaging and PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapy.

19. BRAF Mutation Testing: Guides treatment decisions for melanoma and certain other cancers with BRAF mutations, as BRAF inhibitors are effective in BRAF-mutated cancers.

20. ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) Testing: Guides targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ALK rearrangements, as ALK inhibitors are effective in ALK-positive NSCLC.

These cancer marker tests play crucial roles in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection, monitoring treatment response, and detecting disease recurrence. They are utilized in clinical practice to provide personalized and targeted care for cancer patients.