MN/CA9 as a novel molecular marker for the detection of cancer.

A major challenge in cancer detection is the limited sensitivity of techniques for the initial diagnosis and subsequent monitoring of tumour evolution. Recently, many studies have focused on the discovery of molecular markers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. One promising molecular marker for cancer detection is MN/CA9. MN/CA9 is expressed in cancers of the kidney, breast, cervix, uterus, ovary, lung, oesophagus, stomach, colon, liver, pancreas, head and neck, bladder and skin, whereas its expression in normal tissues is limited to the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder and pancreatic ducts. MN/CA9 can be detected in cytological samples, as well as in bodily fluids, to aid in cancer diagnosis. The usefulness of MN/CA9 is also demonstrated for the detection of distant metastasis after surgery. As molecular techniques become routinely available, MN/CA9 is a powerful molecular marker in cancer diagnosis and prognosis.