Current Advances in Clinical Application of Liquid Biopsy

Abstract

Liquid biopsy solutions are available for niche clinical applications. The patient benefits of such solutions are evident: ease of sampling, acceptable and repeatable. To date a number of solutions have received regulatory approval with more comprehensive, multi-cancer companion diagnostic approaches receiving approval in late 2020. Given these breakthrough advances and the ongoing clinical studies in early detection of cancer, the liquid biopsy field is making strides in technology. While circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) solutions are quickly penetrating the market, strides in circulating tumour cells (CTC) and extracellular vesicles (EV) technologies is unlocking their potential for liquid biopsy. ctDNA solutions are paving the way towards clinical translation into the distinct applications across the cancer continuum. This chapter presents a detailed review of current approved liquid biopsy tests and provides a summary of advanced-stage prospective technologies within the context of distinctive clinical applications.