Liquid biopsy-from bench to bedside

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Molecular diagnostics
• Biomarker research

Background:

• Molecular markers are crucial for Central Nervous System (CNS) tumor management.
• Somatic mutations in CNS tumors can be detected in biofluids like serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
• Liquid biopsy (LB) is a technique sampling these biofluids for tumor-derived biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status of liquid biopsy (LB) research in CNS tumors.
• To highlight the potential applications and challenges of LB in neuro-oncology.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of LB as a diagnostic and prognostic tool.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on liquid biopsy in CNS tumors.
• Analysis of various biomarkers detectable in biofluids, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA (cf/ctDNA), circulating cell-free microRNAs (cfmiRNAs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), proteins, and tumor-educated platelets.
• Discussion of the established role of LB in other malignancies and its emerging importance in CNS oncology.

Main Results:

• Liquid biopsy offers a minimally invasive approach to detect and monitor CNS tumors.
• Biomarkers such as cf/ctDNA and CTCs show promise for early detection, prognosis, and treatment response assessment.
• LB techniques are evolving, with ongoing research to overcome existing limitations.

Conclusions:

• Liquid biopsy is a rapidly advancing field with significant potential in the management of CNS tumors.
• Further research is needed to optimize LB techniques and validate biomarkers for clinical application.
• LB is expected to become an indispensable tool in neuro-oncology, complementing traditional diagnostic methods.