{"title":"The status of standardization in methodologies for tear fluid biomarkers.","authors":"Marlies Gijs, Suzanne Hagan, Amalia Enríquez-de-Salamanca","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2486680","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2025.2486680","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143763564","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}
Taha Koray Sahin, Deniz Can Guven, Mert Durukan, Gozde Kavgaci, Yunus Kaygusuz, Zafer Arik, Omer Dizdar, Mustafa Erman, Suayib Yalcin, Sercan Aksoy
{"title":"The association between blood sodium levels and survival in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.","authors":"Taha Koray Sahin, Deniz Can Guven, Mert Durukan, Gozde Kavgaci, Yunus Kaygusuz, Zafer Arik, Omer Dizdar, Mustafa Erman, Suayib Yalcin, Sercan Aksoy","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2472946","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2472946","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment landscape for solid tumors, offering substantial survival benefits. Despite this progress, many patients do not achieve durable responses, highlighting the need for novel prognostic biomarkers. This study investigates the association between serum sodium levels and survival outcomes in patients treated with ICIs.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 509 patients with metastatic solid tumors treated with ICIs. We assessed overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and response rates using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariate cox regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median age was 62 years (interquartile range (IQR): 54-69), and 76.6% of the patients were male. Multivariate analysis revealed that serum sodium levels between 135-140 mmol/L were an independent predictor of improved OS (HR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.44-0.77) and PFS (HR: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.58-0.99) and those with levels > 140 mmol/L had an even lower HR of 0.43 (95% CI:0.31-0.62) for OS and HR of 0.62 (95% CI:0.45-0.86) for PFS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights that ICI-treated patients with higher sodium levels had significantly better OS, PFS, and anti-tumor responses. Baseline serum sodium levels could be cost-effective and valuable predictive biomarker for ICIs across diverse tumor types and ICI agents.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"129-137"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143500032","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":"Unraveling the future: hot topics shaping molecular diagnostics today.","authors":"Sabine Weiskirchen, Ralf Weiskirchen","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2467969","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2467969","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This special report highlights the transformative potential of advanced diagnostic technologies in modern healthcare, emphasizing their role in enhancing disease detection, treatment personalization, and patient outcomes.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Innovations such as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), liquid biopsy, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) -based diagnostics, Point-of-Care (PoC) testing, microbiome analysis, and Artificial Intelligence are reshaping the diagnostic landscape. These methods facilitate early identification of diseases, enable tailored therapies based on individual genetic profiles, and provide noninvasive monitoring options. Furthermore, telemedicine enhances access to care while reducing costs associated with traditional healthcare delivery. Despite these advancements, challenges remain regarding regulatory compliance, data privacy concerns, and disparities in access to diagnostic services. The report underscores the need for ongoing collaboration among stakeholders to address these limitations effectively.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>By prioritizing equitable access and continuously evaluating emerging technologies' impact on patient safety and health outcomes, the healthcare system can harness the full potential of modern diagnostics to improve global health.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"111-116"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143432672","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":"Comprehensive genomic profiling: a public health system perspective.","authors":"Themistoklis Paraskevas, Michail Papapanou, Theodoros N Sergentanis, Ilias Kyriopoulos, Kostas Athanasakis","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2471794","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2471794","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) is gaining ground in modern precision oncology for its ability to potentially analyze multiple tumor alterations and identify actionable ones, guiding targeted anticancer treatments. However, integrating CGP into healthcare systems demands consideration of the available evidence and collaboration between shareholders.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review explores CGP's cost-effectiveness and feasibility across diverse healthcare settings, based on searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, gray literature, and extensive snowballing. We further aimed to elucidate barriers to routine CGP implementation and discuss potential solutions.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Patients generally express satisfaction with CGP, especially if publicly funded, yet face difficulties in understanding test results, and managing lack of actionable mutations and access to novel treatment avenues. Physicians exhibit confidence in recommending and interpreting CGP for patients with refractory disease and considerable life expectancy and performance status, albeit acknowledging potential treatment delays. Health economic studies support CGP's cost-effectiveness, highlighting increased survival, productivity, reduced medical service utilization, and cost diversion to trial sponsors. Nonetheless, challenges persist, including reimbursement policies, limited testing accessibility, and the imperative for physician training and infrastructure enhancement. Addressing these issues through collaborative efforts and policy adjustments is paramount for realizing the full potential of CGP in advancing precision oncology.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"101-109"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143531487","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":"Peripheral blood biomarkers in monitoring treatment response in breast cancer patients.","authors":"Andres A Ocampo, Xiaopeng Sun, Justin M Balko","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2467965","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2467965","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"87-90"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11961309/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Caoimbhe Burke, Thomas Glynn, Chowdhury Jahangir, Clodagh Murphy, Niamh Buckley, Mark Tangney, Arman Rahman, William M Gallagher
{"title":"Exploring the prognostic and predictive potential of bacterial biomarkers in non-gastrointestinal solid tumors.","authors":"Caoimbhe Burke, Thomas Glynn, Chowdhury Jahangir, Clodagh Murphy, Niamh Buckley, Mark Tangney, Arman Rahman, William M Gallagher","doi":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2465743","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737159.2025.2465743","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Standard clinical parameters like tumor size, age, lymph node status, and molecular markers are used to predict progression risk and treatment response. However, exploring additional markers that reflect underlying biology could offer a more comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME influences tumor development, progression, disease severity, and survival, with tumor-associated bacteria posited to play significant roles. Studies on tumor-associated microbiota have focused on high bacterial-load sites such as the gut, oral cavity, and stomach, but interest is growing in non-gastrointestinal (GI) solid tumors, such as breast, lung, and pancreas. Microbe-based biomarkers, including <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis B and C viruses, have proven valuable in predicting gastric, cervical, and renal cancers.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Potential of prognostic and predictive bacterial biomarkers in non-GI solid tumors and the methodologies used.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Advances in techniques like 16S rRNA gene sequencing, qPCR, immunostaining, and <i>in situ</i> hybridization have enabled detailed analysis of difficult-to-culture microbes in solid tumors. However, to ensure reliable results, it is critical to standardize protocols, accurately align reads, address contamination, and maintain proper sample handling. This will pave the way for developing reliable bacterial markers that enhance prognosis, prediction, and personalized treatment planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":12113,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics","volume":" ","pages":"117-128"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143457419","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":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","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}