Current Usage of Biological Markers - Essay Example

Brеаst Саnсеr Biological markers for the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer Name Institution Current usage of biological markers in a clinical setting, for diagnosing and monitoring patients with breast cancer Introduction Breast cancer is a major type of cancer affecting people and mostly associated with females. This type of cancer is linked to many death cases. Breast is a body organ with special function of producing milk involved in lactation. Breast cancers come from the cells capable of creating terminal and lodules ducts located to the adipose and fibrous tissue. Anatomically, breasts happen to sit on the pectoral muscle and the ribcage’s atop and the breast tissue is spread to the sternum from the midaxillary line where axilla is found. Fascia is the tissue with a thin layer that encircles the breast tissue, where the breast skin is same with that one of the other body parts. Breast exam is done through examination of the skin. Blood supply in breasts starts from the mammary artery and spreads nutrients to the breast tissues (Cardoso, Harbeck, Fallowfield, Kyriakides, & Senkus, 2012). On the opposite direction, is the lymphatic vessels, which drain to the lymph nodes. The lymphatic drainage involves metastasize of the breast cancer, which relates to the initial lymph node, which is removed by the surgeon when checking for the metastases. Physiologically, human breast specializes in production of milk or lacatation, during pregnancy, as well as lactation, people experience many changes because of the hormonal changes (Eroles, Bosch, Pérez-Fidalgo, & Lluch, 2012). Nonetheless, in the clinical location, there is the submission of living markers for analysis and watching of patients with breast malignance. The figure above demonstrates how breast cancer is manifested in human body. Biological Makers There are different types of markers used in diagnosis and monitoring of breast cancer. Such markers include; tumour markers, molecular markers, salivary biomarkers and serum biomarkers. Tumour markers are constituents that are generated by breast cancer and the rest of the body cells when responding to this type of cancer or specific conditions (Wang, et al., 2012). Besides, there are located in the tumor tissue, stool, urine, and blood of the patient who is having breast cancer. Majority of them are proteins. Among the tumour markers are; Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), ALK gene rearrangements and overexpression, Alpha-fetoprotein (Afp), BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (Beta-hcG), and BCR-ABL fusion gene (Philadelphia chromosome). Nevertheless, the major tumour markers appropriate in the judgment and observing of breast cancer are; CA15-3/CA27.29, whereby there is the analysis of blood in the measurement of the level of breast cancer in a patient (Dubsky, et al., 2013). The Estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR), is a tumor marker implemented in the checking and identification of the disease. This is where the tumor is analysed in the process of treatment of the cancer type. There is the conduct of clinical progression, which assists in the identification of the markers with the ability to forecast the tumour behaviour, therefore aiding in the analysis and operative watching of patients with the illness (Eccles, et al., 2013). Tumor markers’ determination assists in the medical administration of patients with breast tumor since it enables the diagnosis and detection of metastasis and recurrence for the conduct of new treatment methods. Nonetheless, the most efficient breast molecular markers include; hormone receptor, Ki-67, genes, P53 protein, HER-2 oncogene, and hormone receptors. On the other hand, the blood markers are applicable in the opinion and observing of the metastatic disease. Therefore, the measurement of tumor markers is conducted for the complementary testing of the diagnosis of the symptomatic metastases. HER2/neu gene amplification or protein overexpression is among the tumor markers, which are analysed through the tumor tissue during the judgment and checking of the disease (Goldhirsch, et al., 2013). There is also the Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), which aids in the detection of breast cancer. Salivary organic markers are useful in the process of characterizing the illness, whereby the saliva of the patient is assessed for the prediction of breast cancer in the particular patient. In addition, the blood markers are where the blood is evaluated for the uncovering of the disease. Nonetheless, there is the conduct of laboratory work in the present practice of the metastatic disease. 21-Gene signature (Oncotype Dx® and 70-Gene signature (Mammaprint ® are analysed through the assessment of tumor (Lindström, et al., 2012). Furthermore, the measurements of the blood tumor markers are carried out to assist in the follow-up process of the management of breast cancer. Implication of biological markers in breast cancer and their roles The tumor markers imply that blood tumours are connected to the breast cancer. In addition, these markers are generated by the normal cells and produced through some advanced levels of the cancerous conditions. The pattern through which gene is expressed and DNA tends to change is useful in the tumor markers. Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), CA15-3/CA27.29, and the Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) show the likelihood of breast cancer to be treated in different methods, whereby some might fail and also the disease can occur again (Senkus, et al., 2013). Moreover, the tumor markers are measured through taking a model of the growth tissue or the body fluid and taking it to the workroom for the measurement of different ranks of the tumor marker. Estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) implies that it is possible for breast cancer to recur. 21-Gene signature (Oncotype Dx® and 70-Gene signature (Mammaprint ® also imply that it is possible for breast cancer to recur several times in the same patient. The blood tumour markers play the role of diagnosing and assessing the metastatic illness, therefore assisting in the operation of complementary investigations. The markers also help in the conduct of therapy towards the administration of breast tumor. Thus, the blood markers are used for screening of the particular breast malignancy at a primary stage (Bidard, et al., 2013). In the analysis of the disease, tumor markers are measured appropriately by the doctor to assist in the practice of treatment since they enhance the conduct of therapy in different stages. Furthermore, tumor markers are used in the determination of whether the applied treatment is working and work towards preventing the reoccurrence of the breast cancer in a certain patient. It is clear that CA15-3/CA27.29 plays the role of evaluating if the cancer treatment is effective and if the disease tends to recur. In addition, the Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) plays the duty of tracking the working of the treatment, as well as the identification if there is the recurrence of the cancer disease. Estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) plays the role of the determination of if breast cancer treatment was effective through the hormone therapy, as well as various targeted therapies, which is necessary. The other marker playing the same role is the HER2/neu gene amplification or protein overexpression. Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) works towards the determination of the aggressiveness of the breast cancer and direct the conduct of treatment. On the other hand, 21-Gene signature (Oncotype Dx® and 70-Gene signature (Mammaprint ® play the role of the valuation of the risk of this problem reoccurring in the particular patient (Senkus, et al., 2015). That is why these types of biological markers are supposed to be elevated in cancer patients, as they support the identification of the most appropriate response towards the treatment process of breast cancer. Usefulness of these types of markers in diagnosing and monitoring cancer progress and possible limitations to their usage The above biological markers are useful in the general screening and evaluation of breast cancer. They also assist in the identification of the working of the treatments applied in the particular patient (Salgado, et al., 2014). Besides, the usage of the biological markers and the analysis of the associated tissues assist in the biological interaction of the breast cancer and the applied treatment methods. There is an association of age with the specific markers applied in the assessment of breast cancer. Estrogen receptor (ER), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2), progesterone receptor (PR), and Ki-67 are the most effective biological makers that are used in the identification of breast cancer since they offer a good response towards the therapeutic methods. On the contrary, VEGF, P53, IGF and P21work towards the evaluation of breast malignance based on the age and ethnic group of the patient. It is apparent that molecular, tumor and salivary biological markers that are used in the screening of breast melanoma enhance the initial discovery of cancer and the related symptoms from the fact that the tissues analysed are very sensitive. There is also the measurement of PSA level especially in the blood (Bidard, et al., 2013). Nonetheless, the serum concentration and combination of other markers assist in the recognition of breast cancer. Conclusion There are various biological indicators useful in the verdict and checking of breast cancer. Such markers include; Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), CA15-3/CA27.29, and the Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR), 21-Gene signature (Oncotype Dx® and 70-Gene signature (Mammaprint ®. Such markers are analysed through blood, tumor, and salivary tissues. The usefulness of these markers in the evaluation of breast cancer implies that it is possible for the particular cancer to recur to a specific patient. In addition, the markers play the role of determining the working of the treatment offered as well as the likelihood of recurrence of the cancer type to a patient. Therefore, these markers help in the identification of the progress of treatment offered to cancer patients. References Bidard, F. C., Fehm, T., Ignatiadis, M., Smerage, J. B., Alix-Panabières, C., Janni, W., ... & Piccart, M. (2013). Clinical application of circulating tumor cells in breast cancer: overview of the current interventional trials. Cancer and Metastasis Reviews, 1-10. Cardoso, F., Harbeck, N., Fallowfield, L., Kyriakides, S., & Senkus, E. (2012). Locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. 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