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Detection of Cell-Free DNA in Blood Plasma Samples of Cancer Patients
Published on: September 9, 2020
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Liquid biopsies and cancer omics
Ivano Amelio1,2, Riccardo Bertolo3,4, Pierluigi Bove3,4
1Torvergata Oncoscience Research Centre of Excellence, TOR, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy. ivano.amelio@uniroma2.it.
Cell Death Discovery
|December 10, 2020
Summary
Liquid biopsies offer a real-time view of cancer evolution by analyzing non-tissue sources like blood. This approach captures tumor heterogeneity, advancing precision medicine and clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Sequencing technologies generate vast molecular data, enabling precision medicine in oncology.
- Traditional tissue biopsies fail to capture cancer's dynamic evolution.
- Liquid biopsies analyze non-tissue sources for tumoral material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of liquid biopsies in understanding cancer pathogenesis and evolution.
- To highlight the advantages of liquid biopsies over traditional tissue biopsies.
- To discuss the application of liquid biopsies in clinical oncology and trials.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of non-tissue sources such as blood, urine, and stool from cancer patients.
- Application of omics data generation techniques to liquid biopsy samples.
- Monitoring circulating tumor components like circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and extracellular vesicles (ECVs).
Main Results:
- Liquid biopsies provide insights into tumor heterogeneity by analyzing components from all cancer clones.
- This approach allows for a time-dependent, 'real-time' understanding of cancer evolution.
- Circulating tumoral material reflects the dynamic nature of cancer through its progression.
Conclusions:
- Liquid biopsies are a promising tool for monitoring cancer and overcoming limitations of tissue biopsies.
- The technology is increasingly applied across various cancer types and is integral to many clinical trials.
- Liquid biopsies represent a significant advancement in the era of precision oncology.
