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Liquid biopsy in cutaneous oncology: Current practice and future directions
Sabah Choudhury1, Adewunmi O Adelaja2, Haley Ann Neff3
1Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|July 7, 2026
Summary
Liquid biopsies, analyzing circulating tumor DNA, offer non-invasive cancer monitoring and personalized treatment. These advanced tools are becoming crucial for managing aggressive skin cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Liquid biopsies have transformed cancer care over the last decade.
- They offer non-invasive analysis of tumor status, including real-time monitoring and treatment response prediction.
- The FDA has approved assays for specific cancer therapies, paving the way for broader clinical use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current liquid biopsy technologies.
- To emphasize the application of circulating biomarkers in skin cancer management.
- To inform the dermatology community about liquid biopsy relevance in cutaneous malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Review of state-of-the-art liquid biopsy tools.
- Emphasis on circulating biomarkers in skin cancer development and implementation.
- Analysis of FDA-approved assays for cfDNA genetic alterations.
Main Results:
- Liquid biopsies provide sensitive and specific tumor analysis.
- They enable non-invasive alternatives to tissue biopsy.
- Approved assays facilitate companion diagnostics for targeted cancer therapies.
Conclusions:
- Liquid biopsies are revolutionizing cancer care, offering real-time monitoring and personalized treatment strategies.
- These tools are expected to be integrated into standard-of-care for aggressive cutaneous malignancies.
- Dermatologists need to understand liquid biopsy techniques for effective patient management.
