The Emerging Role of Liquid Biopsies in Revolutionising Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Abstract

A potential non-invasive technique for identifying and tracking cancer is a liquid biopsy. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the principles, applications, and challenges associated with liquid biopsies. The circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumour cells (CTCs), exosomes, and microRNAs are just a few of the biomarkers we cover in this article that are discovered in liquid biopsies. The clinical application of liquid biopsies in many stages of cancer management, including early cancer identification, therapy selection and response monitoring, and minimum residual illness, is also investigated. The technical advancements in liquid biopsy techniques, including digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS), have improved the sensitivity and specificity of biomarker identification. Liquid biopsies require assistance with cost-effectiveness, sensitivity, and standardisation despite the potential benefits. We talk about these restrictions and potential solutions. In conclusion, liquid biopsies revolutionise personalised therapies and cancer diagnostics by providing a real-time, non-invasive tool for characterising and monitoring tumours. It will be possible to expand the use of liquid biopsies in clinical practises by having a better understanding of their current state and predicted future developments.

Beyond blood: Advancing the frontiers of liquid biopsy in oncology and personalized medicine

“…This ongoing monitoring is crucial for assessing treatment effectiveness, identifying resistance, and making prompt treatment adjustments. 32 …”

“…This is further exacerbated by the technical intricacies of differentiating these from the background of normal DNA and other cellular components. 32 , 48 …”

“…Liquid biopsy represents a paradigm shift in oncology, serving as a noninvasive adjunct to traditional tissue biopsies and transforming patient care. 32 This innovative approach is particularly vital when conventional biopsies are either infeasible or pose undue risk to patients. 66 The sections herein synthesize key clinical applications and research findings, reflecting the significant impact and integration of liquid biopsies across various medical domains.…”

Prospects of liquid biopsy in the prognosis and clinical management of gastrointestinal cancers

“…Since they offer clinicians access to real-time information about a patient’s cancer status without requiring repeated intrusive procedures, liquid biopsies are particularly useful in tracking therapy response and disease progression ( Sivapalan et al, 2023 ) ( Figure 1 ). Apart from capturing tumor heterogeneity, a liquid biopsy can facilitate recording broad temporal molecular footprints of the tumor, along with its changes throughout the disease progression to direct better clinical decisions ( Lone et al, 2022 ; Shegekar et al, 2023 ) ( Figure 1 ). The next section of this article discusses various components of body fluids that can be used as tools for liquid biopsy and are reported to predict disease states, survival outcomes, or treatment outcomes in various gastrointestinal cancers.…”

The Circulating Biomarkers League: Combining miRNAs with Cell-Free DNAs and Proteins

“…However, the majority of these biomarkers are obtained through tissue biopsies, which are difficult to obtain. Moreover, the molecular and genetic information derived from the biopsy provides limited insight for early detection, screening, and monitoring of the disease [ 56 ].…”