| Abstract: |
Purpose of review The purpose of this study is to update the reader on advances in postpubertal male germ cell tumours (GCTs) over the last 18 months. Recent findings Single nucleotide polymorphisms, including in four sex-determination genes, have been identified as additional genetic susceptibility loci to testicular GCT development. New insights into cisplatin resistance implicate the PDGFR-PIK3CA-AKT and RAS pathways. Circulating tumour cells and circulating microRNAs are potential new biomarkers. In clinical stage I (CS-I) GCT, two large studies have confirmed the excellent outcomes achieved with surveillance, which is now the management option of choice for CS I-A nonseminoma and all CS-I seminomas; CS I-B nonseminoma remains controversial. First-line trials of dose-dense multidrug regimens reported promising results but have not yet supplanted BEPx4. Survivorship issues, including secondary malignancies from chemotherapy, remain important in this disease and are a continuing focus of ongoing research. Summary Important research questions remain across all aspects of GCT. The next decade is likely to produce many new and exciting discoveries that will benefit GCT patients. Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. |
