title: Advances in Molecular Biomarkers for Gastric Cancer.
abstract: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most frequent oncological cause of death, the fifth most common malignancy in the world, and accounts for 6.8% of all tumors. As an aggressive disease, GC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which is why it is a major cause of cancer-related death. In the last several decades, the incidence of GC has decreased, which should be credited to advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies including tumor-marker detection systems, imaging modalities, pathological methods, gastroscopy, and particularly surgical and pharmacologic interventions. Because they are economical, convenient, and noninvasive, the detection of conventional serum tumor biomarkers (e.g., CEA, CA19-9, and CA72-4) has been widely employed in the diagnosis and evaluation of GC. However, due to their poor specificity and sensitivity, these molecular markers cannot meet the demand of early GC detection. Hence, new and reliable tumor biomarkers are desperately needed. This review systematically summarizes the three most commonly used biomarkers of GC (e.g., CEA, CA19-9, and CA72-4) and addresses two categories of potential molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis of GC: microRNA and methylated DNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Xiamen University, 201 Hubin South Rd., Xiamen 361004, Fujian Province, China; Union Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Tang-Hui
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital to Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Lin
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China; Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, 361005.
authors.forename: Bayasi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guleng
mesh_terms: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D019175:DNA Methylation; D006801:Humans; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; C083825:CA-72-4 antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen