How Cancer Biomarkers Affect Early Diagnosis & Treatment

Cancer is among the leading causes of death globally, partly because it is often detected too late. Timely diagnosis improves survival rates, but traditional methods don’t always catch cancer in time. This is where cancer biomarkers make a difference.

These biological indicators detect cancer earlier, guide treatment choices, and monitor disease progression. Researchers continue to explore new cancer biomarkers, refining how cancer is diagnosed and managed. In this blog, we explore the role of cancer biomarkers in early detection, diagnosis, and personalized treatment, plus a look at the latest advancements in biomarker testing technologies.

What Are Biomarkers in Cancer?

Cancer biomarkers are substances found in blood, tissue, or other body fluids that indicate cancer activity. Some biomarkers are produced by cancer cells, while others are the body’s response to the disease. Their presence gives doctors important clues about cancer type, stage, and treatment response.

In cancer diagnosis, biomarkers support early detection and differentiate between malignant and normal tissue. They also predict how aggressive a tumor might be. Modern oncology relies on biomarkers to personalize treatment. With the right biomarker, patients can avoid unnecessary treatments and receive the one most likely to be effective.

Biomarkers also help monitor recurrence, offering a non-invasive way to detect cancer remission. Despite their value, not all biomarkers are reliable alone. Doctors often combine cancer biomarker testing with imaging and other diagnostic procedures for accuracy.

For instance, combining Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) detection with circulating free DNA (cfDNA) analysis increases the specificity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis to 94.4%, offering greater sensitivity and stronger clinical correlation compared to AFP alone.

Different Types of Tumor Markers

Cancer biomarkers help detect, diagnose, and monitor cancer. Some are specific to a single cancer type, while others appear in multiple cancers. Protein-based markers remain among the most widely used in clinical settings.

3 Common Protein-Based Tumor Markers

Protein-based cancer biomarkers are substances that tumors release into the bloodstream. Some of the most prevalent protein-based markers include:

1. Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)

Alpha-fetoprotein is a tumor marker used to detect and monitor liver and testicular cancer. High levels of AFP in adults often indicate hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer. AFP is also used to monitor treatment response and detect recurrence. However, high AFP levels do not always mean cancer is present, which directs healthcare professionals to order additional tests for confirmation.

2. CA-125

Doctors use CA-125 tumor markers to detect and monitor ovarian cancer. Many women with ovarian cancer have high CA-125 levels, but this marker is not exclusive to cancer. Other conditions, such as endometriosis and fibroids, can cause a spike in this value. Because of this, CA-125 is used along with imaging or other diagnostic tools to produce a correct diagnosis.

3. Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

CEA helps doctors detect and monitor colon cancer, but it’s also useful for tracking pancreatic, lung, and breast cancers. Malignant tissue usually produces more CEA than normal tissue, so rising levels can signal tumor growth or treatment response. But it’s not always a clear-cut sign of cancer. Smoking, inflammation, and other non-cancerous conditions can also raise CEA levels, which is why healthcare workers consider it alongside other tests for a more accurate diagnosis.

3 Types of Tumor Markers for Specific Cancers

Some cancer biomarkers are strongly associated with specific cancer types. Here’s a comprehensive list of common cancer biomarkers:

1. Colon Cancer Tumor Marker

Colon cancer tumor markers (CEA) indicate colon cancer. Doctors use blood tests to measure carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Higher concentrations of CEA often indicate the presence of active disease. However, because CEA is not specific to colon cancer, its accuracy is enhanced when monitored over time rather than depending on a single measurement. A steady increase in CEA levels may suggest tumor growth or recurrence, while decreasing levels after treatment typically indicate a positive response to therapy.

2. Carcinoembryonic Antigen Tumor Marker

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein found in the fetal digestive system, but its levels drop significantly after birth. In healthy adults, CEA is typically present in very low amounts. CEA, a pancreatic cancer tumor marker, is commonly used to assess pancreatic cancer early. However, some cancers (especially colorectal cancer) can cause a sharp increase in CEA levels, making it a useful tumor marker for monitoring disease progression and treatment response.

Doctors measure CEA levels through a simple blood test. While CEA is most commonly associated with colorectal cancer, it is also used to monitor other malignancies, including pancreatic, lung, and breast cancers.

3. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumor Marker

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is often detected using tumor markers like alpha-fetoprotein. AFP is a primary tumor marker used to detect and monitor hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in individuals with chronic liver disease.

Tumor Markers in Early Detection and Diagnosis

Catching cancer early gives patients a better chance at successful treatment and recovery. Tumor markers for cancer flag potential cancer before symptoms appear, giving healthcare professionals a head start. But no single marker tells the whole story, so they’re often used alongside other tests for a clearer picture.

While these markers provide useful clues, they aren’t always definitive. Other conditions can raise these levels, sometimes leading to unnecessary stress or extra tests. Doctors and researchers use several techniques to detect tumor markers, each offering different insights. Blood tests can measure proteins like PSA for prostate cancer or CA-125 for ovarian cancer. However, blood tests sometimes provide limited diagnostic information, which is why biopsies are often necessary to confirm a cancer diagnosis. In some cases, imaging techniques like PET scans help detect tumors that release measurable markers, providing a broader view of disease progression or response to treatment.

To improve accuracy and research insights, scientists often study real human tissue samples. FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) samples preserve tissue structure and cellular detail for long-term analysis, making them valuable for examining biomarker expression over time. In contrast, fresh-frozen tissues maintain their original molecular state, allowing for more precise genetic and protein studies.

Advanced tools like the OncoScan CNV Assay also help by identifying genetic changes linked to cancer. When combined with tissue studies, these technologies bring researchers closer to better, timely, and more accurate cancer detection.

Tumor Markers in Treatment Decisions and Personalized Medicine

Tumor markers play a critical role in guiding targeted therapies by identifying specific cancer biomarkers within a tumor. This enables doctors to select treatments that target those molecular characteristics directly, elevating treatment efficacy and minimizing unnecessary side effects.

For example, in breast cancer, overexpression of the HER2 protein indicates that treatments like trastuzumab may be effective. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mutations in the EGFR gene suggest that drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) could be beneficial. These examples highlight how tumor marker profiling can result in better and more personalized treatments.

Another promising development is personalized cancer vaccines. These vaccines are designed to stimulate the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack their specific cancer cells. In a recent trial, a personalized vaccine led to remission in nine patients with advanced kidney cancer, keeping them cancer-free for at least three years.

Recent Advancements in Tumor Biomarker Detection Technologies

Detecting biomarkers for cancer is key to diagnosing and treating this disease. Various technologies have been developed to identify these markers effectively. These include the following:

1. Fluorescence Immunoassay (FIA) Technology

FIA uses fluorescent labels to detect proteins. When exposed to light, these labels glow, allowing measurement of specific proteins linked to cancer. Its quick processing time is beneficial in clinical settings.

2. Molecular Hybridization Technology

This method detects specific DNA or RNA sequences linked to cancer. By pairing complementary nucleic acid strands, it identifies genetic mutations or viral sequences associated with tumor development. This provides insights into the genetic basis of cancers, aiding targeted therapies.

3. Gene Amplification Detection Technology

Techniques like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplify small DNA segments, enabling the detection of genetic changes linked to cancer. PCR is widely used for identifying mutations and assessing gene activity.

4. DNA Sequencing Technology

Advanced methods like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) decode the entire genome or specific regions of cancer cells. This detailed analysis reveals mutations and other genetic changes, helping form personalized treatment strategies.

5. Liquid Biopsy Technology

Liquid biopsies analyze tumor DNA, RNA, or cells in bodily fluids like blood. This non-invasive approach monitors tumor changes and detects mutations without traditional biopsies. Companies like Guardant Health have developed tests such as Guardant Reveal, which analyze tumor DNA in the blood to detect recurrent cancer early. Recently, Medicare announced that it would cover this test for broader use, which could potentially improve patient outcomes.

The Impact of Tumor Markers in Cancer Research Continues to Grow

Cancer research depends on tumor markers to detect cancer early, track its progression, and determine the best treatment options for patients.

With continuous advancements in molecular research and diagnostic technology, tumor markers are becoming increasingly reliable. Scientists are discovering new ways to use these biomarkers to create personalized treatment plans, improve survival rates, and develop innovative therapies. The future of cancer treatment will rely heavily on these advancements.

High-quality tissue samples are key to advancing cancer research. Superior BioDiagnostics offers carefully sourced FFPE samples to support studies worldwide. Our extensive biobank includes malignant, normal, and disease-state samples from various anatomical sites, including breast, brain, lung, skin, cervical, uterus, epithelial, muscle, and more. Order your FFPE samples today and accelerate your research on cancer biomarkers.