Liquid Biopsies in Solid Cancers: Implementation in a Nordic Healthcare System

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Liquid biopsies offer a minimally invasive approach to cancer characterization and treatment.
• Established methods focus on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on the clinical relevance of liquid biopsies in solid cancers.
• To discuss the implementation and future clinical role of liquid biopsies, particularly in Nordic healthcare systems.
• To evaluate the utility of ctDNA and CTCs in cancer diagnostics, prognostication, and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of current scientific literature and clinical evidence supporting liquid biopsy assessments.
• Focus on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as primary liquid biopsy specimens.
• Analysis of clinical applications in prognostic stratification, treatment selection, and monitoring.

Main Results:

• ctDNA and CTCs are valuable for prognostic stratification, treatment choices, and monitoring in solid cancers.
• Emerging evidence supports ctDNA's role in early cancer detection.
• ctDNA provides robust clinical information, while CTCs offer insights into cancer biology and metastasis.
• Non-small-cell lung cancer treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors is a key area where ctDNA is clinically applied.

Conclusions:

• Substantial evidence supports the clinical utility of liquid biopsies in cancer diagnostics.
• Further research is needed to address standardization, diagnostic performance, cost, and regulatory issues for broader clinical integration.
• Liquid biopsies, especially ctDNA, are poised to become integral tools in personalized cancer care.