Liquid Biopsy in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Review of Methods and Applications

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a malignancy with one of the highest mortality rates. One limitation in the diagnosis and treatment of PDAC is the lack of an early and universal biomarker. Extensive research performed recently to develop new assays which could fit this role is available. In this review, we will discuss the current landscape of liquid biopsy in patients with PDAC. Specifically, we will review the various methods of liquid biopsy, focusing on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and exosomes and future opportunities for improvement using artificial intelligence or machine learning to analyze results from a multi-omic approach. We will also consider applications which have been evaluated, including the utility of liquid biopsy for screening and staging patients at diagnosis as well as before and after surgery. We will also examine the potential for liquid biopsy to monitor patient treatment response in the setting of clinical trial development.