Liquid Biopsy in Primary Brain Tumors: Looking for Stardust!

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Personalized medicine is a challenge to improve survival and quality of life of patients suffering from primary malignant brain tumor. Molecular biology is integrated in initial diagnosis and relapse, and, in the nearest future, over treatment schedule and monitoring. Liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive way to obtain tumor material.

RECENT FINDINGS

Over the past years, three fluids have been explored to provide tumor information in primary malignant brain tumor: blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous liquid. Different tumor components were identified: (1) circulating tumor cells, (2) circulating tumor DNA, (3) RNA and non-coding miRNA, and (4) extracellular vesicles. The performance of the liquid biopsy depends on the tumor type and on the method of detection. Liquid biopsy could be a valuable tool to improve patient care in primary malignant brain tumor. Improvement of its sensitivity is the major challenge to generalize its use in daily practice.