{"title":"Applications of ctDNA testing to monitor and detect residual disease in breast cancer.","authors":"Jennifer H Chen, Yimin Geng, Anthony Lucci","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2498545","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2498545","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In recent years, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising method for detection of minimal or molecular residual disease (MRD) among patients with breast cancer.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>In this narrative review, we provide a summary of currently available studies assessing use of ctDNA in detection of MRD in patients after completion of curative therapy. Additionally, we discuss limitations of present studies, future considerations, and an overview of ongoing trials evaluating the clinical utility of MRD-directed therapy interventions.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>While the clinical utility of MRD-directed therapy guidance remains under investigation, collective data from studies overwhelmingly confirm the prognostic value of ctDNA status across various stages and subtypes of breast cancer. Results from ongoing clinical trials in the coming years will provide more clarity on the overall clinical benefit of MRD-directed interventions for breast cancer patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"263-274"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143988061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From detection to action: new diagnostic insights into antifungal resistance.","authors":"Renu Chaudhary, Zoozeal Thakur","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2477027","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2477027","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"203-208"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143572322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Diagnostic approach to leptomeningeal involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.","authors":"Alexandra Šúri, Heidi Mociková","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2485211","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2485211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare but serious condition requiring accurate diagnostics. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis plays a crucial role, particularly in cases where biopsy is not feasible, and imaging is inconclusive.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Chemical markers have limitations, particularly in low-cellularity samples. Novel molecular techniques, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis and microRNAs (miRNAs), are gaining prominence for their ability to detect gene mutations at diagnosis and monitor minimal residual disease during follow-up. The sensitivity and specificity of genetic mutations, particularly MYD88 L265P, in combination with interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, are discussed. The literature search methodology involved reviewing relevant studies and clinical data.This review examines both traditional and emerging methods for CSF analysis in diagnosing CNS involvement in DLBCL. Conventional approaches such as cytomorphology, flow cytometry, and biochemical markers have limitations, particularly in low-cellularity samples. Novel molecular techniques, including ctDNA analysis and miRNAs, are gaining prominence for their ability to detect gene mutations at diagnosis and monitor minimal residual disease during follow-up. The sensitivity and specificity of genetic mutations, particularly MYD88 L265P, in combination with interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, are discussed. The literature search methodology involved reviewing relevant studies and clinical data.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Advancements in CSF biomarker analysis are improving the diagnosis of CNS lymphoma, aiding early detection and personalized treatment approaches. However, further research and broader clinical validation are necessary for their routine implementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"209-215"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143993737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of ctDNA-based <i>ESR1</i> testing in breast cancer: results from the first external quality assessment scheme in China.","authors":"Guigao Lin, Jing Li, Kuo Zhang","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2498542","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2498542","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing of plasma for ESR1 somatic variants is essential for guiding treatment decisions in hormone receptor-positive (HR + ) and HER2-negative (HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients who have progressed on frontline therapy. To ensure optimal, uniform, and reliable ESR1 testing across China, an pilot external quality assessment (EQA) scheme was established.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Aliquots of five artificial reference plasma samples containing ESR1 mutations at varying allelic frequencies were distributed to 37 laboratories for testing and reporting according to routine procedures. The genotyping accuracy and clinical reporting were evaluated against standardized criteria, and feedback was provided to the participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall genotyping error rate in the EQA was 6.29%, with 91.4% of laboratories correctly identifying the ESR1 mutational status in all samples. A variety of extraction methods and analytical techniques were employed. However, reports often failed to address the risk that tumor DNA may not have been tested, and the limitations of the methodologies used by participants were insufficiently discussed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The variability in genotyping accuracy and reporting standards underscores the importance of EQA and educational guidance to ensure the provision of high-quality clinical services.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"297-304"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143965168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extracellular vesicles as source of biomarkers in hematological malignancies: looking towards clinical applications.","authors":"Claudia Ielo, Massimo Breccia","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2488919","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2488919","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Extracellular vesicles are membranous particles released by cells in physiological and pathological conditions. Their cargo is heterogeneous since it includes different biomolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. Oncogenic alterations affect the composition of extracellular vesicles and model their content during cancer evolution.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review provides an overview of the studies focused on extracellular vesicles as source of biomarkers in hematological malignancies. A special insight into extracellular vesicles-derived biomarkers as tools for evaluating the prognosis of hematological malignancies and their response to treatment is given.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Extracellular vesicles are a valuable source of biomarkers in hematological malignancies. However, the translation from the bench to the bedside is challenged by the lack of standardization of the preanalytical variables of the experimental workflow. The release of standard operating procedures and the validation of the extracellular vesicles-derived biomarkers in large cohort of patients will help in exploiting the potential of extracellular vesicles in the clinical setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"233-244"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143771806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Iva Hamova, Maria Maco, Anton Tkachenko, Kristyna Kupcova, Adriana Velasova, Marek Trneny, Heidi Mocikova, Ondrej Havranek
{"title":"Circulating tumor DNA as a powerful tool in diagnostics and treatment outcome prediction - focus on large B-cell lymphomas and follicular lymphomas.","authors":"Iva Hamova, Maria Maco, Anton Tkachenko, Kristyna Kupcova, Adriana Velasova, Marek Trneny, Heidi Mocikova, Ondrej Havranek","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2500659","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2500659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pathogenesis of large B-cell lymphomas (LBCL) and follicular lymphomas (FL) is a multistep process associated with the development of diverse DNA alterations and consequent deregulation of critical cellular processes. Detection of tumor-associated mutations within non-tumor compartments (mainly plasma) is the basis of the 'liquid biopsy' concept. Apart from tumor mutational profiling, quantitative analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) allows longitudinal assessment of tumor burden. ctDNA-based technologies provide a new tool for tumor diagnostics and treatment personalization.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Our review provides a comprehensive overview and summary of available ctDNA studies in LBCL and FL. The accuracy of ctDNA-based detection of lymphoma-associated DNA alterations is correlated to known LBCL and FL molecular landscape. Additionally, we summarized available evidence that supports and justifies the clinical use of ctDNA for lymphoma risk stratification, treatment response evaluation, and treatment response-adapted therapy. Lastly, we discuss other clinically important ctDNA applications: monitoring of lymphoma clonal evolution within resistance and/or relapse development and utilization of ctDNA for diagnostics in non-blood fluids and compartments (e.g. cerebrospinal fluid in primary CNS lymphomas).</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Despite certain challenges, including methodological standardization, ctDNA holds promise to soon become an integral part of lymphoma diagnostics and treatment management.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"275-295"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143974724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The integration of biomarkers and patient-reported outcomes improves prediction of interstitial cystitis syndrome.","authors":"Yu-Chen Chen, Hann-Chorng Kuo","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2502035","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2502035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic condition characterized by debilitating bladder pain and urinary symptoms, such as urgency and frequency. Its considerable impact on patients' quality of life is compounded by the diagnostic challenges stemming from symptom overlap with other urological disorders and insufficient standardization of diagnostic criteria.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review examines various key aspects of IC/BPS, including the identification of biomarkers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that correlate with symptom severity and underlying inflammatory processes. It discusses the importance of urinary and serum biomarkers, current challenges in clinical assessments, the variability in biomarker collection and analysis methods, and emphasizes the role of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as the O'Leary - Sant (ICSI/ICPI) questionnaires and the Visual Analogue Scale in capturing the patient's subjective experience and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Strengthening the integration of biomarkers with PROs is crucial for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and personalizing treatment approaches for IC/BPS patients. The review calls for future research to develop standardized protocols, which will improve patient care by facilitating a more tailored management strategy based on a comprehensive understanding of IC/BPS.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"217-232"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143981129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Neurofilament light chain as a biomarker for neuronal injury in CNS infections.","authors":"Lars Hagberg, Henrik Zetterberg, Magnus Gisslén","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2509023","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2509023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In this special report, we summarize studies of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma/serum biomarker neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations, a key structural component of myelinated axons in neuroinfections.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>The following infections were searched for in PubMed; Neuroinfection and biomarkers, herpes simplex encephalitis and neurofilament light chain, tick-borne encephalitis and neurofilament light chain, Lyme neuroborreliosis and neurofilament light chain, bacterial meningitis and neurofilament light chain, malaria and neurofilament light chain, COVID-19 and neurofilament light chain, HIV infection and neurofilament light chain.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>NfL can serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing disease severity and neurological complications in the acute stage of neuroinfections and can also be useful in evaluating patients with residual symptoms following acute illness.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144110279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"hTERT rs2735940 polymorphism influences lung cancer risk and overall survival in lung cancer patients undergoing platinum-based doublet chemotherapy.","authors":"Anjali Saini, Heena Kansal, Navneet Singh, Siddharth Sharma","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2500657","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2025.2500657","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The hTERT gene is an essential part of the telomerase enzyme, preserving telomere length and encouraging cellular immortality. The study aimed to investigate whether the TERT gene SNP was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in the North Indian population.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>387 lung cancer patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy and 384 healthy controls were genotyped for the TERT variant rs2735940 (T>C) using PCR-RFLP. The study aimed to determine the significant association between the TERT genetic variant and lung cancer risk.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients carrying homozygous mutant genotype (CC) for rs2735940 showed a significant association (0 R = 2.4, <i>p</i> = 0.03). Furthermore, in dominant model, the combination genotype (TC+CC) showed an increased risk of lung cancer susceptibility with an AOR of 1.67 (<i>p</i> = 0.0016). For TERT rs2735940, individuals with SCLC carrying the mutant genotype (CC) were significantly more likely to develop lung cancer (<i>p</i> = 0.0004). Our results also showed that lung cancer patients carrying the TERT rs2735940 genetic variant who received a combination of docetaxel and cisplatin/carboplatin had better prognosis as compared to alternative chemotherapy regimens.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study associates' chemotherapy toxicities in North Indian lung cancer patients and the TERT polymorphism rs2735940, delivering insights for improving biomarker development and individualized treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}