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CC BY 4.0 · Glob Med Genet 2023; 10(02): 101-104
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768958
Review Article

Molecular Screening for Urothelial Cancer: How Close We Are?

Athanasios Michas
1   Department of Oncology, 401 General Army Hospital of Athens, 401 Geniko Stratiotiko Nosokomeio Athenon, Athina, Greece
,
Basileios Michas
1   Department of Oncology, 401 General Army Hospital of Athens, 401 Geniko Stratiotiko Nosokomeio Athenon, Athina, Greece
,
Anastasios Tsitsibis
1   Department of Oncology, 401 General Army Hospital of Athens, 401 Geniko Stratiotiko Nosokomeio Athenon, Athina, Greece
,
Nikolaos Tsoukalas
1   Department of Oncology, 401 General Army Hospital of Athens, 401 Geniko Stratiotiko Nosokomeio Athenon, Athina, Greece
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Abstract

Early detection of urothelial cancer offers the potential for effective and successful treatment. Despite previous efforts, currently, there is not a well-validated, recommended screening program in any country. This integrative, literature-based review provides details on how recent molecular advances may further advance early tumor detection. The minimally invasive liquid biopsy is capable of identifying tumor material in human fluid samples from asymptomatic individuals. Circulating tumor biomarkers (cfDNA, exosomes, etc.) are very promising and are attracting the interest of numerous studies for the diagnosis of early-stage cancer. However, this approach definitely needs to be refined before clinical implementation. Nevertheless, despite the variety of current obstacles that require further research, the prospect of identifying urothelial carcinoma by a single urine or blood test seems truly intriguing.

Keywords

genomics - urothelial cancer - liquid biopsy


Publication History

Article published online:
23 May 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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