Bamodu Oluwaseun Adebayo, Chung Chen-Chih, Pisanic Thomas R
Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilala District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Ilala District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
J Liq Biopsy. 2023 Nov 7;2:100126. doi: 10.1016/j.jlb.2023.100126. eCollection 2023 Dec.
Liquid biopsies have emerged as groundbreaking tools for minimally invasive monitoring of cancer, encompassing the analysis of Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and exosomes. This paradigm shift offers an emerging approach for understanding tumor dynamics, treatment responses, and disease progression. Leveraging advancements in molecular biology and technology, liquid biopsies enable clinicians to gain intricate insights from peripheral blood, thereby transforming the landscape of cancer care. This review describes the clinical impact, technological innovations, and recent evidence surrounding the integration of ctDNA and exosome analysis in cancer monitoring. Through early detection, real-time treatment response assessment, and the tracking of minimal residual disease, liquid biopsies have redefined the standards of precision oncology. Key advancements in ctDNA analysis, such as high-throughput sequencing and digital PCR, empower the detection of actionable mutations with high sensitivity. Concurrently, the characterization of exosomal cargo, facilitated by next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry, unveils the molecular nuances of tumors. Recent studies underscore the utility of these approaches, demonstrating their efficacy in predicting relapse, guiding therapeutic decisions, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. As the field continues to evolve, liquid biopsies hold promise not only as diagnostic tools but also as agents of personalized medicine, enabling precise navigation of the intricate landscape of cancer with minimally invasiveness.
液体活检已成为用于癌症微创监测的突破性工具，包括对游离DNA（cfDNA）、循环肿瘤DNA（ctDNA）和外泌体的分析。这种范式转变为理解肿瘤动态、治疗反应和疾病进展提供了一种新兴方法。利用分子生物学和技术的进步，液体活检使临床医生能够从外周血中获得深入见解，从而改变了癌症护理的格局。这篇综述描述了ctDNA和外泌体分析在癌症监测中的临床影响、技术创新及最新证据。通过早期检测、实时治疗反应评估和对微小残留病的追踪，液体活检重新定义了精准肿瘤学的标准。ctDNA分析的关键进展，如高通量测序和数字PCR，能够高灵敏度地检测可操作的突变。同时，通过下一代测序和质谱技术对外泌体货物进行表征，揭示了肿瘤的分子细微差别。最近的研究强调了这些方法的实用性，证明了它们在预测复发、指导治疗决策以及最终改善患者预后方面的有效性。随着该领域的不断发展，液体活检不仅有望成为诊断工具，还将成为个性化医疗的手段，以最小的侵入性实现对复杂癌症格局的精准导航。
