Circulating Histone Chaperone Profiles as Novel Biomarkers for Early Lung Cancer Detection and Their Exploitation in Liquid Biopsies

Lung cancer is substantial burden to health infrastructure around the world. Lung cancer diagnosis is challenging due to late-stage detection and false diagnosis. Thus, there is a need to discover novel biomarker for early detection. There is a growing potential of circulating DNA, histones and histone chaperones as innovative biomarkers in the early detection and prognosis of lung cancer. Although the field is still in its formative stages, preliminary findings suggest that alterations in the levels of circulating histone chaperones, such as ASF-1, may serve as valuable indicators of the dynamic interactions between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment. These interactions could provide critical insights into tumor progression, potentially revealing early signs of malignancy before conventional diagnostic methods become effective. However, much more research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms that govern the release of histone chaperones into the bloodstream. Additionally, a deeper investigation into their precise roles in tumorigenesis and their potential impact on cancer biology is essential for assessing their utility as reliable biomarkers. At present, these biomarkers hold promise, but their clinical application requires further validation through rigorous, large-scale studies that can confirm their diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. Key to realizing the clinical potential of circulating histone chaperones will be the development of highly sensitive and specific assays capable of detecting and quantifying these biomarkers with accuracy. Furthermore, advances in liquid biopsy technologies, which offer non-invasive alternatives to traditional tissue biopsies, will play a pivotal role in enabling the widespread use of circulating histone chaperones in routine clinical practice.