The ability to measure and monitor cancer biomarkers in “body fluid biopsy” should greatly impact oncologic practice. “Biomarkers in Proximal Fluids”, the third of the “Cancer Biomarkers in Body Fluids” series details cancer signatures in none or minimally circulating body fluids including saliva, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, exhaled breath condensate, nipple aspirate fluid, gastric and pancreatic juice, stool, urine, and prostatic, peritoneal and cerebrospinal fluid. These fluids are enriched with biomarkers, especially those emanating from cells of the proximal tissue.
Chapter 1 examines the global burden of cancer and the need for regional efforts at primary prevention, early detection and patient care. Chapters 2-12 address tissue-specific biomarkers in associated body fluids. The tumor interstitial fluid as a microenvironment rich in cancer biomarkers is detailed in chapter 13, while chapter 14 looks at the human body fluid microbiome and its evolving role in cancer. Commercially available assays using proximal fluids are examined at the end of the respective chapters. This book complements its predecessors and is equally useful to oncologists, cancer researchers, clinicians, medical students, nurses, diagnostic laboratory and pharmaceutical industry personnel.