Biotinidase, as a Convenient Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker for Breast Cancer

Abstract

According to the definition by the National Institutes of Health of USA, a biological marker (biomarker) is a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated, as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes or pharmacological responses, to a therapeutic agent. Several studies have reported that a decreased regulating gene expression of biotinidase (BTD) is associated with breast cancer. On the basis of these evidences, we hypothesize that in the serum of breast cancer patients, with different pathological grades, reductions in serum BTD enzyme activities, there are significant differences. The use of this marker, as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for breast cancer, is a promising perspective for the clinical field.