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Updated: Sep 21, 2025
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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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Circulating cell-free DNA for cancer early detection.
Qiang Gao1,2, Qiang Zeng3, Zhijie Wang4
1Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Innovation (Cambridge (Mass.))
|June 1, 2022
Summary
Developing simple, accurate, and non-invasive cancer detection methods is crucial. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) liquid biopsies show promise for early cancer detection and improved patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Current cancer screening methods are limited in scope and performance.
- There is a critical need for accessible, accurate, and non-invasive early cancer detection techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review technological and clinical advancements in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) assays for early cancer detection.
- To provide insights into the development and application of cfDNA assays across various cancers and clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current cfDNA assay technologies.
- Analysis of clinical development phases for cfDNA biomarkers.
- Examination of single- and multi-cancer early detection studies.
Main Results:
- cfDNA alterations in plasma offer revolutionary potential for early cancer detection and diagnosis.
- cfDNA-based liquid biopsies are advancing rapidly, showing promise in diverse cancer types.
- Key clinical development milestones for cfDNA biomarkers have been identified.
Conclusions:
- cfDNA assays represent a significant advancement in the quest for simple, accurate, and non-invasive cancer detection.
- Further integration of cfDNA-based liquid biopsies into clinical workflows could improve patient outcomes.
- Continued research and development are essential to realize the full potential of cfDNA in oncology.
