A cancer biomarker refers to protein and biomolecules found in blood, body fluids, or tissues that helps detect the presence of a tumor with high accuracy and reliability.
Once the diagnosis is established, they help identify the progression and aggressiveness of cancer. They also help decide how a patient responds to a cancer treatment and its expected outcome. These markers can be detected using ELISA test kits.
So, What is ELISA?
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a plate-based assay in which a blood or urine sample is analyzed to detect the presence of soluble substances, such as proteins, peptides, antibodies, and hormones.
The assay relies on the antigen-antibody interaction and uses an enzyme-labeled antibody that generates a detectable signal depending on the concentration of the target biomarker.
When it comes to cancer detection, it utilizes the antibody specificity and sensitivity of enzyme assays to identify the number of tumor markers present in a biological sample.
There are four types of ELISA:
- Direct ELISA
- Indirect ELISA
- Sandwich ELISA
- Competitive ELISA
How Do Cancer Biomarkers Detect Disease?
Cancer biomarkers play a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring the disease. These are typically proteins or molecules secreted either by the tumor itself or by the body in response to the presence of cancer.
Measuring these biomarkers through ELISA kits allows:
- Early detection: High levels of certain biomarkers can be identified before physical symptoms appear, enabling timely intervention.
- Cancer typing and staging: Some biomarkers are unique to specific cancer types and subtypes. So, this helps confirm the nature and extent of the disease.
- Prognosis assessment: High biomarker levels can help you detect aggressive tumor behavior or recurrence risk.
- Treatment monitoring: Fluctuations in biomarker levels during and after treatment can help decide the effectiveness of therapy or whether a patient needs an alternative approach.
Cancer Biomarkers Detectable by ELISA
Over the years, clinical researchers have identified several established tumor protein markers associated with specific types of cancer, including:
| Biomarker | Associated Cancer | Clinical Use |
| PSA | Prostate cancer | Screening, monitoring |
| CA-125 | Ovarian cancer | Detection, recurrence monitoring |
| CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) | Colorectal, lung, breast | Prognosis, treatment response |
| AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) | Liver, germ cell tumors | Diagnosis and monitoring |
| HER2 | Breast cancer | Targeted therapy decisions |
| CYFRA 21-1 | Lung cancer | Monitoring disease status |
Advantages of ELISA Kits in Cancer Marker Detection
The growing reliance on ELISA-based assays in oncology is due to several distinct advantages:
- High Sensitivity and Specificity
- Cost-Effective
- Rapid Turnaround Time
- Ideal for both single-sample tests and mass screenings.
- Minimal Sample Volume
What Are Its Limitations?
ELISA has a few limitations:
- Cross-reactivity: Non-specific binding can occasionally show inaccurate results, especially if antibodies are not carefully chosen.
- Single Biomarker Limitation: Traditional ELISA tests are often designed for one marker at a time. It might be insufficient for complex cancers that need multi-marker analysis.
- Variable Assay Results: Different ELISA test kits are manufactured by various companies, so they may provide different results.
Researchers have developed advanced ELISA test kits to address such issues. These kits detect multiple markers simultaneously and provide better consistency and reproducibility.
Finally…
ELISA kits are not less than a revolutionary tool in cancer diagnostics. They help in –
- Early detection,
- Accurate classification, and
- Real-time monitoring of disease progression.
The technology is evolving continuously in terms of treatment efficacy. It is providing more comprehensive diagnostic solutions.
ELISA will remain at the forefront of cancer care even if the research advances.
However, it is recommended to buy ELISA test kits from a trustworthy supplier to support your experiment. Otherwise, you may end up having inaccurate results that compromise your entire study or diagnostic process.
