{"title":"Digital HIV self-testing as an exemplar: a perspective on benefits, challenges, and opportunities.","authors":"Ashlyn Beecroft, Olivia Vaikla, Nitika Pant Pai","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2406974","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2406974","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Digital human immunodeficiency virus self-testing (HIVST) leverages digital supports, enhancing accessibility, privacy, and early detection of HIV, empowering individuals to manage their HIV status and facilitating timely linkage to care. These advancements contribute to reduced HIV transmission and thereby lead to improved health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This perspective examines the current landscape of digital HIVST strategies, highlighting challenges that must be addressed and opportunities that are presented as the field evolves.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Implementing advances in digital HIVST requires a unified digital network architecture that integrates proven tools (digital supports) within the World Health Organization's One Health Agenda. This includes strategies effective in diverse settings, supported by evolving governance and ethics frameworks that ensure data safety and privacy. Although data on linkages to care are strong, digital HIVST strategies may need further field validation, especially in low-income countries. Key challenges include systems integration, data privacy safeguards, and implementation of proven digital supports. Embracing digital readers, machine learning solutions, chatbots, and wearable solutions can improve outcomes that translate to significant public health benefits in the context of HIV elimination. Investing in digital technologies and integrating digital HIVST into HIV prevention and care programs can enable progress toward UNAIDS elimination targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"913-925"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142344291","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}
Sidney W Fu, Cong Tang, Xiaohui Tan, Sudhir Srivastava
{"title":"Liquid biopsy for early cancer detection: technological revolutions and clinical dilemma.","authors":"Sidney W Fu, Cong Tang, Xiaohui Tan, Sudhir Srivastava","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2408744","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2408744","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Liquid biopsy is an innovative advancement in oncology, offering a noninvasive method for early cancer detection and monitoring by analyzing circulating tumor cells, DNA, RNA, and other biomarkers in bodily fluids. This technique has the potential to revolutionize precision oncology by providing real-time analysis of tumor dynamics, enabling early detection, monitoring treatment responses, and tailoring personalized therapies based on the molecular profiles of individual patients.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>In this review, the authors discuss current methodologies, technological challenges, and clinical applications of liquid biopsy. This includes advancements in detecting minimal residual disease, tracking tumor evolution, and combining liquid biopsy with other diagnostic modalities for precision oncology. Key areas explored are the sensitivity, specificity, and integration of multi-omics, AI, ML, and LLM technologies.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Liquid biopsy holds great potential to revolutionize cancer care through early detection and personalized treatment strategies. However, its success depends on overcoming technological and clinical hurdles, such as ensuring high sensitivity and specificity, interpreting results amidst tumor heterogeneity, and making tests accessible and affordable. Continued innovation and collaboration are crucial to fully realize the potential of liquid biopsy in improving early cancer detection, treatment, and monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"937-955"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142364936","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}
John R Heard, Michael Ahdoot, Dan Theodorescu, Anirban P Mitra
{"title":"Biomarkers of treatment response in bladder cancer.","authors":"John R Heard, Michael Ahdoot, Dan Theodorescu, Anirban P Mitra","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2428747","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2428747","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>There have been many recent advancements in the treatment of bladder cancer including the approval of novel intravesical agents for non-muscle-invasive disease and systemic-targeted therapeutics for muscle-invasive and advanced disease. However, treatment strategies for bladder cancer are still largely based on clinicopathologic characteristics.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Based on primary literature sourced from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, we review the current status of molecular markers and biomarker panels with respective to their value in predicting response to standard chemotherapeutics and novel agents in non-muscle-invasive, muscle-invasive, and advanced bladder cancer.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Several biomarkers based on molecular characterization of tumors and quantification of circulating tumor DNA have been associated with response or resistance to standard chemotherapeutics. More recent investigations have reported on predictive biomarkers for novel therapeutics in bladder cancer, although large-scale validation is still needed. Given the increasing therapeutic options for this disease, employment of such predictive biomarkers may help guide treatment selection and sequencing.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"957-969"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142617034","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}
Lottie Brown, Alexandre Alanio, Mario Cruciani, Rosemary Barnes, J Peter Donnelly, Juergen Loeffler, Riina Rautemaa-Richardson, P Lewis White
{"title":"Strengths and limitations of molecular diagnostics for <i>Pneumocystis jirovecii</i> pneumonia.","authors":"Lottie Brown, Alexandre Alanio, Mario Cruciani, Rosemary Barnes, J Peter Donnelly, Juergen Loeffler, Riina Rautemaa-Richardson, P Lewis White","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2405920","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2405920","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>While <i>Pneumocystis</i> pneumonia (PcP) remains a major AIDS-defining disease, the majority of cases of PcP now present in the HIV-negative cohort, causing significant mortality. PcP PCR diagnosis is not novel, and the optimal route of diagnosis remains unclear, with an imperfect reference method and complexity in result interpretation for alternative tests.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This extensive review utilizing a literature search underpinning a recent systematic review/meta-analysis discusses the technical and clinical performance of PcP PCR, the added benefits of PCR testing, future aspects/considerations, and how PCR may be best used in clinical algorithms to provide a probability of PcP.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Given the current imperfect reference test for PcP, an alternative would be beneficial. Concerns over PcP PCR generating false positive results are valid but can be resolved by using positivity thresholds that drive specificity. Unfortunately, the extensive range of PCR assays complicates the provision of a PCR reference method. Combination testing incorporating PCR and B-D-Glucan, along with clinical and host risk factors, is key to understanding the individual probability of PcP. It is critical that access to PcP PCR testing is improved through technical and logistical development. Conversely, syndromic approaches including PcP need to be fully evaluated.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"899-911"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142646942","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":"Can immuno-PCR (IPCR) transform bacterial disease diagnostics?","authors":"Marcia Ashmi, Changchunzi He, Francis Drobniewski","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2413556","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2413556","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Approximately 15 million deaths occur globally each year due to infectious diseases. Timely diagnosis is crucial in promoting cure and preventing disease transmission. Currently, molecular diagnostics have replaced many conventional diagnostic tools due to their inherent limitations. However, the full potential of Immuno Polymerase Chain Reaction (IPCR) remains largely untapped.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review focuses on the use of IPCR in the diagnosis of different bacterial diseases, highlighting its advantages over traditional methods.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Early and accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases is crucial because it enhances treatment effectiveness, reduces morbidity and mortality, helps identify potential causes of sepsis earlier, and reduces the risk of unknowingly spreading the disease to others. IPCR in turn has shown promise for the early diagnosis of bacterial diseases as an alternative to conventional culture-based or serological diagnostic assays leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. IPCR has the potential to revolutionize the diagnostic field due to its increased sensitivity and specificity. Although efforts are needed to reduce the time of the assay and to reduce background noise, IPCR can be combined with other platforms like lateral flow assay/biosensors/automation to improve its use as a point-of-care assay, especially in resource-limited settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"927-936"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142389164","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}
Takahiro Matsuo,Sebastian Wurster,Martin Hoenigl,Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis
{"title":"Current and emerging technologies to develop Point-of-Care Diagnostics in medical mycology.","authors":"Takahiro Matsuo,Sebastian Wurster,Martin Hoenigl,Dimitrios P Kontoyiannis","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2397515","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2024.2397515","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTIONAdvances in diagnostic technologies, particularly Point-of-Care Diagnostics (POCDs), have revolutionized clinical practice by providing rapid, user-friendly, and affordable testing at or near the patient's location. POCDs have been increasingly introduced in medical mycology and hold promise to improve patient outcomes in a variety of important human fungal diseases.AREAS COVEREDThis review focuses on validated POCDs, particularly lateral flow assays (LFAs), for various fungal diseases. Additionally, we discuss emerging innovative techniques such as body fluid analysis, imaging methods, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), microfluidic systems, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based diagnostics, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence.EXPERT OPINIONCompact and user-friendly POCDs have been increasingly introduced in medical mycology, and some of these tests (e.g. Cryptococcus and Histoplasma antigen LFAs) have become mainstream diagnostics, while others, such as LFA in invasive aspergillosis show promise to become part of our routine diagnostic armamentarium. POCDs offer immense benefits such as timely and accurate diagnostic results, reduced patient discomfort, and lower healthcare costs and might contribute to antifungal stewardship. Integrated fluidics combined with microtechnology having multiplex capabilities will be pivotal in medical mycology.","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":"36 1","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142251461","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}
Lorenzo Gaetani,Federico Paolini Paoletti,Alessandro Mechelli,Giovanni Bellomo,Lucilla Parnetti
{"title":"Research advancement in fluid biomarkers for Parkinson's disease.","authors":"Lorenzo Gaetani,Federico Paolini Paoletti,Alessandro Mechelli,Giovanni Bellomo,Lucilla Parnetti","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2403073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2024.2403073","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTIONDiagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease (PD) rely on clinical, mainly motor, features, implying that pre-motor phase cannot be accurately identified. To achieve a reliable early diagnosis, similar to what has been done for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a shift from clinical to biological identification of PD is being pursued. This shift has taken great advantage from the research on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers as they mirror the ongoing molecular pathogenic mechanisms taking place in PD, thus intercepting the disease timely with respect to clinical manifestations.AREAS COVEREDCSF α-synuclein seed amplification assay (αS-SAA) has emerged as the most promising biomarker of α-synucleinopathy. CSF biomarkers reflecting AD-pathology and axonal damage (neurofilament light chain) and a novel marker of dopaminergic dysfunction (DOPA decarboxylase) add valuable diagnostic and prognostic information in the neurochemical characterization of PD.EXPERT OPINIONA biological classification system of PD, encompassing pathophysiological and staging biomarkers, might ensure both early identification and prognostic characterization of the patient. This approach could allow for the best setting for disease-modifying treatments which are currently under investigation.","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":"406 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142207050","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}
Youqin Feng, Longyuan Wu, Tianning Gu, Yongxian Hu, He Huang
{"title":"How can we improve the successful identification of patients suitable for CAR-T cell therapy?","authors":"Youqin Feng, Longyuan Wu, Tianning Gu, Yongxian Hu, He Huang","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2399152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2024.2399152","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has resulted in a breakthrough in the treatment of patients with refractory or relapsed hematological malignancies. However, the id...","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":"61 1","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142226358","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}
Zikuan Zhang, Bo Xue, Yongquan Chen, Yuan Shao, Dongwen Wang
{"title":"A systematic review and meta-analysis combined with bioinformatic analysis on the predictive value of E-cadherin in patients with renal cell carcinoma.","authors":"Zikuan Zhang, Bo Xue, Yongquan Chen, Yuan Shao, Dongwen Wang","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2392641","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2392641","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common cancer of the kidney. This study aims to evaluate the potential predictive value of E-cadherin, a marker of the epithelial mesenchymal transit (EMT) process that has been associated with tumor metastasis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify prospective studies. Hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were summarized to validate the relationship between E-cadherin and survival and clinical characteristics. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the NOS table. Then, we analyzed genetic data and clinical characteristics from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database using R language with the dplyr package for validation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Including 21 articles. The analysis revealed a strong link between high E-cadherin expression and favorable prognosis (for OS, HR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19-0.62; for PFS, HR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.03-0.53; for DSS, HR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.76; for RFS, HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.44-1.16; for DFS, HR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13-0.61; for T stage, OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.11-0.41; for N stage, OR = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.02-0.25; for M stage, OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.60; for clinical stage, OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.18-0.47; for nuclear grade, OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.13-0.41; for tumor size, OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26-0.92). The findings were supported by bioinformatic analysis which used TCGA RCC patient's cohort (<i>P</i> < 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on the current data, E-cadherin may predict a better prognosis in RCC patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"859-871"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142072351","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}
Valerio Gristina, Francesco Pepe, Carlo Genova, Tancredi Didier Bazan Russo, Andrea Gottardo, Gianluca Russo, Lorena Incorvaia, Antonio Galvano, Giuseppe Badalamenti, Viviana Bazan, Giancarlo Troncone, Antonio Russo, Umberto Malapelle
{"title":"Harnessing the potential of genomic characterization of mutational profiles to improve early diagnosis of lung cancer.","authors":"Valerio Gristina, Francesco Pepe, Carlo Genova, Tancredi Didier Bazan Russo, Andrea Gottardo, Gianluca Russo, Lorena Incorvaia, Antonio Galvano, Giuseppe Badalamenti, Viviana Bazan, Giancarlo Troncone, Antonio Russo, Umberto Malapelle","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2403081","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2024.2403081","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Lung Cancer (LC) continues to be a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, largely due to the asymptomatic nature of its early stages and the limitations of current diagnostic methods such as Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT), whose often result in late diagnosis, highlighting an urgent need for innovative, minimally invasive diagnostic techniques that can improve early detection rates.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review delves into the potential of genomic characterization and mutational profiling to enhance early LC diagnosis, exploring the current state and limitations of traditional diagnostic approaches and the revolutionary role of Liquid Biopsies (LB), including cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis through fragmentomics and methylomics. New genomic technologies that allow for earlier detection of LC are scrutinized, alongside a detailed discussion on the literature that shaped our understanding in this field.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Despite the promising advancements in genomic characterization techniques, several challenges remain, such as the heterogeneity of LC mutations, the high cost, and limited accessibility of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies. Additionally, there is a critical need of standardized protocols for interpreting mutational data. Future research should focus on overcoming these barriers to integrate these novel diagnostic methods into standard clinical practice, potentially revolutionizing the management of LC patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"793-802"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142282602","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}