Biological Basis and Clinical Application of Serum Tumor Markers

oleh: Paola Andrea Cruz Tapias, Victoria Eugenia Villegas Gálvez, Sandra Rocío Ramírez Clavijo

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Universidad Colegio Mayor Nuestra Señora del Rosario 2008-07-01

Deskripsi

Cancer is the result of the accumulation ofchanges in molecules with important functionsin processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis,cell death and gene repair. Molecules,substances or altered pathways constitutetumor markers or biomarkers useful in clinicalmonitoring of cancer patients, because theyhave demonstrated to be suitable for the valuationof the patient’s treatment and it efficiency.Determination of tumor markers has not beenvery successful due to the low sensitivity andspecificity of the techniques used and the requirementof large volumes of biological samplesor the use of invasive methods for collecting them. The serum tumor markers arise, as a usefultool to obtain information about the diseaseprogress and constitute as a scientific challengeto improve its applicability in early diagnosis,prognosis, monitoring of the disease and evaluationof therapeutic efficacy.