What is liquid biopsy and where can you use it

A liquid biopsy is a non-invasive or minimally invasive test that analyzes tumor-derived material found in bodily fluids, primarily blood. It‘s a revolutionary approach in cancer diagnostics and monitoring that has the potential to transform the field of oncology.

How does it work?

Tumors shed various types of material into the bloodstream, including:

• Circulating tumor cells (CTCs): These are whole cancer cells that have broken away from the primary tumor and are circulating in the blood.
• Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA): This is DNA fragments from the tumor that have been released into the bloodstream.
• Exosomes: These are small vesicles secreted by tumor cells that contain various molecules, including proteins, DNA, and RNA.

Liquid biopsy tests analyze these circulating markers to provide information about the cancer, such as its type, stage, genetic mutations, and response to treatment.

Why is it important?

• Non-invasive or minimally invasive: Unlike traditional tissue biopsies, which require invasive procedures to collect tumor tissue, liquid biopsies are typically performed with a simple blood draw. This makes them more comfortable for patients and can be repeated multiple times to monitor disease progression and treatment response.
• Real-time monitoring: Liquid biopsies can provide real-time information about the cancer‘s genetic makeup and evolution, allowing for early detection of treatment resistance and personalized treatment adjustments.
• Early detection and diagnosis: Liquid biopsies have the potential to detect cancer at its earliest stages, even before it can be detected by imaging. This could lead to earlier treatment and improved outcomes for patients.
• Monitoring treatment response: Liquid biopsies can be used to monitor how well a cancer treatment is working and to detect early signs of relapse.

Current applications:

Liquid biopsies are currently approved by the U.S. FDA for detecting certain types of advanced cancers, predicting prognosis, and guiding treatment decisions. Research is ongoing to expand their use to other cancer types and earlier stages of disease.

Future potential:

Liquid biopsies hold great promise for the future of cancer care. They have the potential to revolutionize the way cancer is diagnosed, monitored, and treated, leading to more personalized and effective therapies.