Liquid biopsy is a revolutionary non-invasive blood test transforming cancer detection and monitoring. By analyzing fragments of tumor DNA, cells, or other...
A liquid biopsy is a non-invasive blood test that detects biomarkers like circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), or exosomes, shed by tumors into the bloodstream. It provides genetic information about a cancer without the need for a surgical tissue sample.
Traditional biopsies are invasive procedures that surgically remove tissue for analysis. Liquid biopsies, conversely, are non-invasive blood tests, making them less risky, easier to repeat, and capable of capturing the evolving nature of a tumor more comprehensively.
Key applications include early cancer detection, guiding targeted therapies by identifying specific mutations, monitoring treatment response, detecting minimal residual disease, and tracking disease recurrence or progression.
Yes, liquid biopsies are increasingly utilized, particularly for monitoring advanced cancers, identifying specific mutations to guide targeted therapies (e.g., in lung cancer), and tracking recurrence. Their role in early screening is an active area of research and development.