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Circulating Tumor Cell Lines: an Innovative Tool for Fundamental and Translational Research

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Potential Applications of Circulating Tumor DNA Technology as a Cancer Diagnostic Tool

Anil P Kunnath¹, Thirujothi Priyashini¹

¹Department of Applied Biomedical Science and Biotechnology, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, MYS.

|August 20, 2019

Abstract:

Cancer is one of the greatest threats posed to society, necessitating appropriate diagnosis methods. Modern targeted therapies have greatly advanced the treatment of several solid tumors. The rational use of these agents requires optimal strategies for the rapid and accurate detection of targetable genomic alterations at the time of initial diagnosis and when acquired resistance to targeted therapies develops. Currently used techniques, such as tissue genotyping, have limitations such as difficulty in categorizing tumors, needing frequent sampling, and difficulty in obtaining samples. To overcome these issues, cost-effective and non-invasive methods are an urgent requisite, which would provide an insight into the real-time dynamics of cancers via circulating biomarkers. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), commonly termed "liquid biopsy," has emerged as a new, promising non-invasive tool to detect biomarkers in several cancers. The present review aimed to understand the biological concept of ctDNA and its potential as a biomarker in cancer studies and the clinical utility of this evolutionary diagnostic technique.

Insights

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), or liquid biopsy, offers a promising non-invasive method for detecting cancer biomarkers. This technique aids in real-time cancer dynamics monitoring and overcoming limitations of traditional tissue genotyping.

Area of Science:

Oncology
Molecular Diagnostics
Biomarker Discovery

Background:

Cancer diagnosis and treatment require accurate detection of genomic alterations.
Targeted therapies are advancing solid tumor treatment but need precise monitoring.
Current tissue genotyping methods have limitations in sampling and categorization.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the biological basis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
To explore the potential of ctDNA as a cancer biomarker.
To assess the clinical utility of ctDNA as an evolving diagnostic technique.

Main Methods:

Literature review on ctDNA biology and applications.
Analysis of ctDNA's role in cancer biomarker detection.
Evaluation of ctDNA's clinical utility in comparison to traditional methods.

Main Results:

ctDNA, or liquid biopsy, is a promising non-invasive tool for cancer biomarker detection.
ctDNA analysis provides insights into real-time cancer dynamics.
Liquid biopsy overcomes limitations associated with tissue genotyping.

Conclusions:

ctDNA represents a significant advancement in non-invasive cancer diagnostics.
Liquid biopsy facilitates accurate detection of targetable genomic alterations.
ctDNA holds substantial potential for improving cancer patient management and treatment strategies.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

cancer ctdna diagnostic tool tumor

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