Corelaţii între biomarkerii cancerului colorectal

This short review describes the main biomarkers used in research and clinical practice for colon cancer. There are several categories of biomarkers, depending on the substrate they represent or the method of harvesting. We will discuss about genetic biomarkers like microsatellite instability, KRAS, BRAF etc. Blood-based biomarkers available to monitor patients with colorectal cancer are represented by CEA and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). CEA, a high molecular weight glycoprotein, is found in embryonic tissue and colorectal malignancies. We also present the stool markers. These markers are useful for screening patients at risk to develop colon cancer. The markers are also used to monitor the progression of the disease and the results of systemic therapy.