Emerging biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer

Abstract Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, largely due to its asymptomatic nature in early stages and consequent late diagnosis. The development of reliable, non-invasive biomarkers for early detection is critical to improving prognosis and survival rates. Recent advances in omics technologies and liquid biopsy have led to the identification of novel biomarkers, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), microRNAs (miRNAs), exosomes, and protein signatures. These biomarkers show promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, and monitoring of disease progression. This review highlights the current landscape of emerging biomarkers for early lung cancer detection, evaluates their clinical utility, and discusses the challenges in their translation to routine clinical practice. Integration of these biomarkers with imaging and artificial intelligence-based diagnostic tools may offer a transformative approach for early lung cancer diagnosis.