Liquid Biopsy as a New Tool for Diagnosis and Monitoring in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presents a significant diagnostic challenge, particularly in small renal masses. The search for non-invasive screening methods and biomarkers has directed research toward liquid biopsy, which focuses on microRNAs (miRNAs), exosomes, and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that show considerable dysregulation in RCC, and they have potential for both diagnostic and prognostic applications. Research has highlighted their utility on biofluids, such as plasma, serum, and urine, in detecting RCC and characterizing its subtypes. Promising miRNA signatures have been associated with overall survival, suggesting their potential importance in the management of RCC. Exosomes, which carry a variety of molecular components, including miRNAs, are emerging as valuable biomarkers, whereas CTCs, released from primary tumors into the bloodstream, provide critical information on cancer progression. However, translation of these findings into clinical practice requires additional validation and standardization through large-scale studies and robust evidence. Although there are currently no approved diagnostic tests for RCC, the future potential of liquid biopsy in monitoring, treatment decision-making, and outcome prediction in patients with this disease is significant. This review examined and discussed recent developments in liquid biopsy for RCC, assessing both the strengths and limitations of these approaches for managing this disease.