Liquid biopsies for hepatocellular carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomarker Discovery
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health challenge, being the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
• The poor prognosis for HCC is attributed to limitations in early detection, treatment efficacy, and frequent recurrence.
• Liquid biopsy offers a promising avenue to overcome these challenges in HCC management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in liquid biopsy for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• To organize findings based on the clinical application of liquid biopsy studies in HCC.
• To highlight the potential of circulating biomarkers for improving HCC detection and prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on liquid biopsy for HCC.
• Analysis of identified liver-cancer-associated molecular signatures (genetic alterations, methylation, noncoding RNA).
• Evaluation of circulating biomarkers in body fluids and circulating tumor cells.

Main Results:

• Numerous studies have identified and evaluated various molecular signatures as potential HCC biomarkers.
• Circulating biomarkers show promise for detecting HCC and monitoring disease progression.
• Progress in liquid biopsy is being made across different clinical applications.

Conclusions:

• Liquid biopsy represents a significant advancement in the early detection and management of HCC.
• The analysis of circulating biomarkers holds the potential to improve patient prognosis and survival rates.
• Continued research in liquid biopsy techniques is crucial for clinical translation in HCC care.