O presente e o futuro dos marcadores circulantes de câncer

Abstract

For some types of cancer, there are circulating markers in use that don’t have sufficient specificity and sensitivity. New technologies and new knowledge are thus emerging in order to find the ideal circulating markers for each cancer subtype. Important recent advances in clinical research have allowed for the identification of free circulating DNA, RNA, and pro- teins from plasma, saliva, nipple aspirate fluid, and urine as potential and promising circulating markers of cancer. Ano- ther possible source of circulating markers are the extracellular vesicles, which play an important role in cell communication. Considering new discoveries, some of which are presented in this review, the traditional models of metastasis and micro- metastasis deserve to be reviewed.