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Liquid Biopsies in Lung Cancer
Marcel Kemper1,2, Carolin Krekeler1,2, Kerstin Menck1,2
1Department of Medicine A for Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany.
Cancers
|March 11, 2023
Summary
Liquid biopsies offer a promising, less invasive approach for lung cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Further research is needed to overcome sensitivity and specificity challenges for integrating these tools into clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Genomics
Background:
- Lung cancer has the highest cancer-specific mortality globally, necessitating advanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
- Tissue biopsy is standard, but liquid biopsies (ctDNA, CTCs, miRNAs, EVs) are emerging as crucial complementary tools.
- Early detection and therapy response monitoring are vital for improving lung cancer patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of liquid-biopsy-based assays in lung cancer diagnostics and therapy monitoring.
- To evaluate the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis in detecting driver mutations and assessing immunotherapy response.
- To identify current limitations and future research directions for liquid biopsy applications in lung cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of established and emerging liquid biopsy techniques, including ctDNA, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and extracellular vesicles (EVs).
- Discussion of PCR- and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based assays for mutational assessment in lung cancer.
- Analysis of the potential for ctDNA to monitor immunotherapy efficacy.
Main Results:
- Liquid biopsies, particularly ctDNA analysis, show significant promise for non-invasive lung cancer detection and monitoring.
- PCR and NGS assays enable the detection of key lung cancer driver mutations from liquid samples.
- ctDNA analysis may provide insights into immunotherapy response, complementing traditional methods.
Conclusions:
- Liquid biopsies represent a valuable, evolving tool for lung cancer management, potentially complementing tissue biopsies.
- Addressing limitations in sensitivity and specificity is crucial for the widespread clinical adoption of liquid biopsies.
- Further studies are essential to fully establish the utility of liquid biopsies in lung cancer diagnostic guidelines.
