Breast cancer biomarkers: Meta-analysis and review

Abstract

Breast cancer is a leading oncological condition among women, yet the lack of highly sensitive and specific markers significantly hinders early diagnosis and the prediction of disease outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of various molecular-biological and hematological parameters in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer. The study included patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis; assessments involved measuring tumor marker expression in tissue samples, determining circulating microRNA levels, and calculating composite hematological indices based on complete blood counts. A control group consisted of women without oncological disease. Statistical analysis included the assessment of correlations, survival analysis, and the construction of ROC curves. The results demonstrated that the expression of the investigated molecular markers in tumor tissue was significantly higher than in non-neoplastic tissue and correlated with clinical stage, the presence of regional lymph node metastases, and primary tumor size. Elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios were more frequently observed in the group of patients with an unfavorable disease course. Levels of specific microRNAs differed between groups with and without lymphogenous metastasis. Based on these findings, the study concludes that a combined approach using molecular and hematological biomarkers is warranted for patient risk stratification and the personalization of management strategies.