Liquid biopsy technologies offer new insights and approaches for canine cancer detection and management

Liquid biopsy (LBx) is the analysis of fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, or secretions to detect cancer biomarkers and circulating tumor cells. It is becoming a common investigational tool in human oncology, but less so in veterinary medicine. Liquid biopsy is less invasive and has fewer complications than tissue biopsy, but it is not intended to replace tissue biopsy. In human oncology, LBx is primarily used as an investigational tool because of the cost and technology requirements. Liquid biopsy may eventually provide early-stage cancer detection, but this has not been proven for humans or dogs. Several LBx tests are currently available commercially to dog owners and veterinarians. A new test, Urine Molecular Fingerprinting, has been developed and addresses the limitations of blood-based technologies.