Liquid biopsy in CNS tumors: Current status & future perspectives

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Molecular diagnostics
• Biomarker analysis

Background:

• Accurate classification of central nervous system (CNS) malignancies is crucial for effective treatment and prognosis.
• Current diagnostic methods like neuroimaging have limitations in precise tumor typing and identifying key molecular markers.
• Liquid biopsy, analyzing biomarkers in body fluids, is emerging as a promising noninvasive tool for CNS tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical potential of liquid biopsy in the management of CNS tumors.
• To explore how liquid biopsy can aid in diagnosing brain tumors and predicting prognosis.
• To assess the role of liquid biopsy in monitoring treatment response and drug resistance.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on liquid biopsy applications in CNS oncology.
• Analysis of analytes such as cell-free DNA (cfDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), microRNAs, proteins, and extracellular vesicles (EVs).
• Focus on peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as primary sources for liquid biopsy.

Main Results:

• Liquid biopsy analytes (cfDNA, CTCs) are increasingly relevant research topics in CNS tumors.
• The analysis of these analytes shows potential for early cancer detection, staging, and prognosis assessment.
• Liquid biopsy can provide insights into minimal residual disease and drug resistance.

Conclusions:

• Liquid biopsy holds significant clinical potential for noninvasive diagnosis and prognostication of CNS tumors.
• It can serve as a valuable surrogate for tissue biopsy, guiding treatment decisions and monitoring response.
• Further research into liquid biopsy biomarkers will enhance the management of brain tumors.