Zhong Hai-Jing, Zhen Yumiao, Chen Shiji, Shi Wei, Liang Xiaoxu, Yang Guan-Jun
State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, China.
Breast Cancer Res. 2025 Jun 2;27(1):97. doi: 10.1186/s13058-025-02024-7.
The advent of precision therapy has revolutionized breast cancer treatment, driven by the development of innovative diagnostic techniques and targeted drugs. Identifying biomarkers related to therapy response is crucial for tailoring treatment strategies for breast cancer patients. Liquid biopsies have emerged as minimally invasive techniques for biomarker profiling, leveraging the increasing sensitivity for detecting oncogenic drivers. These liquid biopsy methods, involving the testing of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in biofluids, offer more opportunities for early cancer detection, monitoring treatment efficacy, and identifying resistance mechanisms. This review focuses on the technical methodologies employed for the detection of CTCs and ctDNA. Beyond the technical aspects, we discuss the clinical applications of these biomarkers in breast cancer, including their roles in early detection, monitoring treatment response, and guiding therapeutic decisions. We also address the challenges associated with CTC and ctDNA detection, such as low concentrations in biofluids and tumor heterogeneity, which can complicate analysis and interpretation. By discussing the current landscape of CTC and ctDNA methodologies and their clinical implications, this review highlights the potential of liquid biopsies to enhance personalized medicine approaches in breast cancer management.
精准治疗的出现彻底改变了乳腺癌的治疗方式，这一进展得益于创新诊断技术和靶向药物的发展。识别与治疗反应相关的生物标志物对于为乳腺癌患者量身定制治疗策略至关重要。液体活检已成为用于生物标志物分析的微创技术，利用了检测致癌驱动因素不断提高的灵敏度。这些液体活检方法，包括检测生物流体中的循环肿瘤细胞（CTC）和循环肿瘤DNA（ctDNA），为早期癌症检测、监测治疗效果和识别耐药机制提供了更多机会。本综述重点关注用于检测CTC和ctDNA的技术方法。除了技术方面，我们还讨论了这些生物标志物在乳腺癌中的临床应用，包括它们在早期检测、监测治疗反应和指导治疗决策中的作用。我们还探讨了与CTC和ctDNA检测相关的挑战，例如生物流体中浓度低以及肿瘤异质性，这可能使分析和解释变得复杂。通过讨论CTC和ctDNA方法的当前情况及其临床意义，本综述强调了液体活检在增强乳腺癌管理中个性化医疗方法方面的潜力。
