Table 1.
Potential uses for cancer biomarkers
| Use | Example | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Estimate risk of developing cancer | BRCA1 germline mutation (breast and ovarian cancer) | Easton et al., 1995; Hall et al., 1990 |
| Screening | Prostate specific antigen (prostate cancer) | Lin et al., 2008 |
| Differential diagnosis | Immunohistochemistry to determine tissue of origin | |
| Determine prognosis of disease | 21 gene recurrence score (breast cancer) | Paik et al., 2004 |
| Predict response to therapy | KRAS mutation and anti‐EGFR antibody (colorectal cancer) | Allegra et al., 2009 |
| HER2 expression and anti‐Her2 therapy (breast and gastric cancer) | Bang et al., 2010; Piccart‐Gebhart et al., 2005; Romond et al., 2005 | |
| Estrogen receptor expression (breast cancer) | EBCTCG 2011 | |
| Monitor for disease recurrence | CEA (colorectal cancer) | Locker et al., 2006 |
| AFP, LDH, βHCG (germ cell tumor) | Gilligan et al., 2010 | |
| Monitor for response or progression in metastatic disease | CA15‐3 and CEA (breast cancer) | Harris et al., 2007 |