Table 3.
Circulating nucleic acids or tumor cells as biomarkers for melanoma.
| Biomarker | Predictive/Prognostic | Clinical Validation | Assay | Comments | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ctDNA | Prognostic | Advanced clinical investigation | PCR based BEAMing | ctDNA has the potential to anticipate clinical progression. Need of a specific gene target |
[121,122,123] |
| ctDNA | Predictive | Advanced clinical investigation | PCR based | Prognostic and predictive to dabrafenib and Trametinib. Limited sensitivity for brain metastasis |
[124] |
| ctDNA | Prognostic | Advanced clinical investigation | PCR based | Prognostic and predictive to target therapy and Immunotherapy | [125,126] |
| MicroRNAs | Prognostic/Predictive | Pre-clinical | Luciferase assay | miRNAs are more stable compared to ctDNA. Low Tumor specificity | [127,128] |
| CTC | Prognostic/Predictive | Pre-clinical | PCR based | Lack of standardized technology | [129,130] |
Abbreviations: ctDNA, cellular tumor DNA; PCR, Polymerase Chain Reaction; BEAMing beads, emulsion, amplification and magnetics; miRNA, microRNA; CTC, circulating tumor cells.