Circulating biomarkers in cancer care: what possible use?

Jones, R. J. and Brown, J. (2017) Circulating biomarkers in cancer care: what possible use? Practical Laboratory Medicine, 7, pp. 45-48. (doi: 10.1016/j.plabm.2016.04.004) (PMID:28856218) (PMCID:PMC5575409)

Abstract

The practice of the physician has changed greatly in the last 100 years. Yet, the fundamental role remains constant: it is the physician's function to make a diagnosis, assess prognosis, choose and deliver the most effective treatment and then to assess the adequacy of that treatment (both in terms of effectiveness and safety). Whereas our predecessors were almost entirely reliant on clinical history and examination findings in conducting these assessments, the 21st century physician is aided by a plethora of blood tests, imaging investigations, electrophysiological recordings and morphological and molecular analyses of tissue samples. For many patients, the totality of these newer tests contributes relatively little to their journey, whilst, for some, key tests can dictate the direction of travel and, sometimes, the ultimate destination.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Brown, Dr Jennifer and Jones, Professor Robert
• Authors: Jones, R. J., and Brown, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Practical Laboratory Medicine
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2352-5517
• ISSN (Online): 2352-5517
• Published Online: 22 April 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Practical Laboratory Medicine 7: 45-48
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license