Liquid and Synthetic Biopsies Are Poised to Rewrite Cancer Care

Liquid biopsy is an innovative and promising alternative to traditional tissue biopsy for detecting and monitoring cancer. It involves analyzing cancer-related biomarkers, such as genetic material shed from tumors, in the blood or other body fluids. Synthetic biopsy is a related approach in which cancer cells are forced to produce biomarkers that reveal their presence. Liquid biopsy tests have been used for years to identify actionable genetic mutations that respond to certain targeted cancer therapies. Researchers are now working to integrate liquid and synthetic biopsies into other facets of cancer care, including screening and early detection, tracking disease progression, monitoring therapeutic response, and assessing minimal residual disease (MRD).