A systematically structured review of biomarkers of dying in cancer patients in the last months of life; An exploration of the biology of dying.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Neuberger review made a number of recommendations to improve end of life care, including research into the biology of dying. An important aspect of the biology of dying is the identification of biomarkers as indices of disease processes. Biomarkers have the potential to inform the current, limited understanding of the dying process and assist clinicians in recognising dying, in particular how to distinguish dying from reversible acute deterioration.

Objectives

To critically appraise the literature on biological factors that may be used as prognostic indicators in advanced cancer patients and to identify candidate biomarkers of the dying process that can be measured serially in cancer patients' bodily fluids.

Methods

A systematically structured review wa

SUBMITTER: Reid VL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5383239 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature