Pediatric cancers are particularly significant due to their uncommon occurrence in children,driven by a variety of underlying factors.Because of their distinct molecular and genetic makeup,which makes early detection ...Pediatric cancers are particularly significant due to their uncommon occurrence in children,driven by a variety of underlying factors.Because of their distinct molecular and genetic makeup,which makes early detection challenging,they are linked to problems.Diagnostic methods like imaging and tissue biopsy are only effective when the tumor has reached a size that can be identified.The liquid biopsy technique,the least intrusive and most convenient diagnostic method,is the subject of this review.It focuses on the significance of single cell analysis in examining uncommon cancer types.The many biomarkers found in bodily fluids and the cancer types they are linked to in children have been assessed,as has the potential route towards early detection and cancer recurrence forecasting.Combining the single cell liquid biopsy with the newest technologies,such as computational and multi-omics approaches,which have improved the efficiency of processing massive and unique genetic data,appears promising.This article discusses on a number of case reports for uncommon pediatric malignancies,such as Neuroblastoma,Medulloblastoma,Wilms Tumor,Rhabdomyosarcoma,Ewing Sarcoma,and Retinoblastoma,as well as their liquid biopsy profiles.Furthermore,the findings raise ethical questions regarding the therapeutic application of the technology as well as possible difficulties related to clinical translation.The likelihood that this single cell liquid biopsy will be clinically validated and eventually used as a routine diagnostic tool for uncommon pediatric cancers will rise with the realistic approach to sensitivity monitoring,specificity upgrading,and optimization.展开更多
Genitourinary neoplasms,including bladder,prostate,renal,and testicular cancers,represent 25%of all solid tumors worldwide.Great advances have been achieved in the last few decades in diagnostic and therapeutic modali...Genitourinary neoplasms,including bladder,prostate,renal,and testicular cancers,represent 25%of all solid tumors worldwide.Great advances have been achieved in the last few decades in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.Among these,liquid biopsy(LB)technology has evolved during the past few years and offers emerging and novel modalities in the field of oncology.LB is performed by withdrawing bodily fluids(i.e.,blood or urine)and looking for circulating tumor DNA,circulating tumor cells,extracellular vesicles,and non-coding RNAs,among others.Over the past years,several technologies have been developed to isolate and analyze the tumor burden.LB is less invasive than traditional biopsies and has many applications,including early screening,providing diagnostic cues,predicting disease severity and survival outcomes,assessing response and resistance to treatment,detecting minimal tumor burden before radiological evidence,and monitoring for disease recurrence.However,multiple challenges still need to be addressed,including reduction in variability between assays,standardization of protocols,and validation in large trials to ensure reliability.This review will focus on the latest advancements in LB applications for diagnostic and prognostic characterization of genitourinary cancers.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers are among the most lethal malignancies due to late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options.Liquid biopsy has emerged as a minimally invasive tool for early cancer ...BACKGROUND Hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers are among the most lethal malignancies due to late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options.Liquid biopsy has emerged as a minimally invasive tool for early cancer detection,prognosis,and therapeutic monitoring.AIM To concise the available data on liquid biopsy and establish its role in hepato-biliary surgeries.METHODS This systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2009 guidelines.A comprehensive lite-rature search was performed using PubMed,Scopus,Web of Science,and EMBASE for studies published up to March 2025.Studies assessing the role of circulating tumor DNA,circulating tumor cells,exosomes,and other liquid biopsy markers in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers were included.The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for clinical trials.RESULTS Liquid biopsy demonstrated significant potential for early cancer detection,perioperative risk stratification,intraoperative surgical decision-making,and postoperative monitoring of minimal residual disease.However,challenges remain regarding standardization,sensitivity,and clinical validation.CONCLUSION Liquid biopsy represents a paradigm shift in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer management.Advancements in next-generation sequencing and artificial intelligence may enhance its clinical utility.Further large-scale studies are needed to establish standardized protocols for routine implementation.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), with its high incidence and mortality rate, is one of the most common malignant tumors. Despite recent development of a diagnostic and treatment method, the prognosis of HCC remains poor...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), with its high incidence and mortality rate, is one of the most common malignant tumors. Despite recent development of a diagnostic and treatment method, the prognosis of HCC remains poor. Therefore, to provide optimal treatment for each patient with HCC, more precise and effective biomarkers are urgently needed which could facilitate a more detailed individualized decision-making during HCC treatment, including the following; risk assessment, early cancer detection, prediction of treatment or prognostic outcome. In the blood of cancer patients, accumulating evidence about circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids has suggested their potent clinical utilities as novel biomarker. This concept, so-called "liquid biopsy" is widely known as an alternative approach to cancer tissue biopsy. This method might facilitate a more sensitive diagnosis and better decision-making by obtaining genetic and epigenetic aberrations that are closely associated with cancer initiation and progression. In this article, we review recent developments based on the available literature on both circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids in cancer patients, especially focusing on Hepatocellular carcinoma.展开更多
To improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients, early detection and accurate monitoring of diseases are necessary. Numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations contribute to oncogenesis and cancer progression, and...To improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients, early detection and accurate monitoring of diseases are necessary. Numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations contribute to oncogenesis and cancer progression, and analyses of these changes have been increasingly utilized for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes in malignant diseases including gastric cancer (GC). Surgical and/or biopsy specimens are generally used to understand the tumor-associated alterations; however, those approaches cannot always be performed because of their invasive characteristics and may fail to reflect current tumor dynamics and drug sensitivities, which may change during the therapeutic process. Therefore, the importance of developing a non-invasive biomarker with the ability to monitor real-time tumor dynamics should be emphasized. This concept, so called “liquid biopsy”, would provide an ideal therapeutic strategy for an individual cancer patient and would facilitate the development of “tailor-made” cancer management programs. In the blood of cancer patients, the presence and potent utilities of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs) such as DNA, mRNA and microRNA have been recognized, and their clinical relevance is attracting considerable attention. In this review, we discuss recent developments in this research field as well as the relevance and future perspectives of CTCs and cfNAs in cancer patients, especially focusing on GC.展开更多
Metastasis is the major cause of mortality in cancer disease and still constitutes one of the most controversial mechanism,not yet fully understood.What is almost beyond doubt is that circulatory system is crucial for...Metastasis is the major cause of mortality in cancer disease and still constitutes one of the most controversial mechanism,not yet fully understood.What is almost beyond doubt is that circulatory system is crucial for cancer propagation.Regarding this system,much attention has been recently paid to liquid biopsy.This technique is aimed to detect circulating tumor cells(CTCs)and circulating nucleic acids so it can be used as a tool for diagnostic,prognostic and follow-up of patients.Whereas CTCs tend to be scarce in serum and plasma from cancer patient,abundant circulating nucleic acids can be detected in the same location.This fact,together with the genetic origin of cancer,stands out the relevance of circulating nucleic acids and shed light into the role of nucleic acids as drivers of metastasis,a recently discovered phenomenon called Genometastasis.This innovative theory supports the transfer of oncogenes from cancer cells to normal and susceptible cells located in distant target organs through circulatory system.What is more,many biological processes haven been described to deliver and secrete circulating nucleic acids into the circulation which can allow such horizontal transfer of oncogenes.In this review,we focus not only on these mechanisms but also we demonstrate its putative role in cancer propagation and give insights about possible therapeutic strategies based on this theory.Our objective is to demonstrate how findings about cell-to-cell communications and previous results can agree with this unprecedented theory.展开更多
After the study of circulating tumor cells in blood through liquid biopsy(LB),this technique has evolved to encompass the analysis of multiple materials originating from the tumor,such as nucleic acids,extracellular v...After the study of circulating tumor cells in blood through liquid biopsy(LB),this technique has evolved to encompass the analysis of multiple materials originating from the tumor,such as nucleic acids,extracellular vesicles,tumor-educated platelets,and other metabolites.Additionally,research has extended to include the examination of samples other than blood or plasma,such as saliva,gastric juice,urine,or stool.LB techniques are diverse,intricate,and variable.They must be highly sensitive,and pre-analytical,patient,and tumor-related factors significantly influence the detection threshold,diagnostic method selection,and potential results.Consequently,the implementation of LB in clinical practice still faces several challenges.The potential applications of LB range from early cancer detection to guiding targeted therapy or immunotherapy in both early and advanced cancer cases,monitoring treatment response,early identification of relapses,or assessing patient risk.On the other hand,gastric cancer(GC)is a disease often diagnosed at advanced stages.Despite recent advances in molecular understanding,the currently available treatment options have not substantially improved the prognosis for many of these patients.The application of LB in GC could be highly valuable as a non-invasive method for early diagnosis and for enhancing the management and outcomes of these patients.In this comprehensive review,from a pathologist’s perspective,we provide an overview of the main options available in LB,delve into the fundamental principles of the most studied techniques,explore the potential utility of LB application in the context of GC,and address the obstacles that need to be overcome in the future to make this innovative technique a game-changer in cancer diagnosis and treatment within clinical practice.展开更多
Cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)are a heterogeneous group of tumors in terms of aetiology,natural history,morphological subtypes,molecular alterations and management,but all sharing complex diagnosis,management,and poor progno...Cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)are a heterogeneous group of tumors in terms of aetiology,natural history,morphological subtypes,molecular alterations and management,but all sharing complex diagnosis,management,and poor prognosis.Several mutated genes and epigenetic changes have been detected in CCA,with the potential to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.Accessing tumoral components and genetic material is therefore crucial for the diagnosis,management and selection of targeted therapies;but sampling tumor tissue,when possible,is often risky and difficult to be repeated at different time points.Liquid biopsy(LB)represents a way to overcome these issues and comprises a diverse group of methodologies centering around detection of tumor biomarkers from fluid samples.Compared to the traditional tissue sampling methods LB is less invasive and can be serially repeated,allowing a real-time monitoring of the tumor genetic profile or the response to therapy.In this review,we analysis the current evidence on the possible roles of LB(circulating DNA,circulating RNA,exosomes,cytokines)in the diagnosis and management of patients affected by CCA.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive tract,with the annual incidence and mortality increasing consistently.Oxaliplatinbased chemotherapy is a preferred therapeutic regimen for ...Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive tract,with the annual incidence and mortality increasing consistently.Oxaliplatinbased chemotherapy is a preferred therapeutic regimen for patients with advanced CRC.However,most patients will inevitably develop resistance to oxaliplatin.Many studies have reported that non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs),such as microRNAs,long non-coding RNAs,and circular RNAs,are extensively involved in cancer progression.Moreover,emerging evidence has revealed that ncRNAs mediate chemoresistance to oxaliplatin by transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation,and by epigenetic modification.In this review,we summarize the mechanisms by which ncRNAs regulate the initiation and development of CRC chemoresistance to oxaliplatin.Furthermore,we investigate the clinical application of ncRNAs as promising biomarkers for liquid CRC biopsy.This review provides new insights into overcoming oxaliplatin resistance in CRC by targeting ncRNAs.展开更多
With the rapid development of science and technology,cell-free DNA(cfDNA)is rapidly becoming an important biomarker for tumor diagnosis,monitoring and prognosis,and this cfDNA-based liquid biopsy technology has great ...With the rapid development of science and technology,cell-free DNA(cfDNA)is rapidly becoming an important biomarker for tumor diagnosis,monitoring and prognosis,and this cfDNA-based liquid biopsy technology has great potential to become an important part of precision medicine.cfDNA is the total amount of free DNA in the systemic circulation,including DNA fragments derived from tumor cells and all other somatic cells.Tumor cells release fragments of DNA into the bloodstream,and this source of cfDNA is called circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA).cfDNA detection has become a major focus in the field of tumor research in recent years,which provides a new opportunity for non-invasive diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.In this paper,we discuss the limitations of the study on the origin and dynamics analysis of ctDNA,and how to solve these problems in the future.Although the future faces major challenges,it also con-tains great potential.展开更多
Epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC)is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy in the western world.The majority of women presenting with the disease are asymptomatic and it has been dubbed the“silent killer”.To date th...Epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC)is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy in the western world.The majority of women presenting with the disease are asymptomatic and it has been dubbed the“silent killer”.To date there is no effective minimally invasive method of stratifying those with the disease or screening for the disease in the general population.Recent molecular and pathological discoveries,along with the advancement of scientific technology,means there is a real possibility of having disease-specific liquid biopsies available within the clinical environment in the near future.In this review we discuss these discoveries,particularly in relation to the most common and aggressive form of EOC,and their role in making this possibility a reality.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a major cause of mortality worldwide, associated with a steadily growing prevalence. Notably, the identification of KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutations has markedly improved targeted CRC therapy b...Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a major cause of mortality worldwide, associated with a steadily growing prevalence. Notably, the identification of KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutations has markedly improved targeted CRC therapy by affording treatments directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and other anti-angiogenic therapies. However, the survival benefit conferred by these therapies remains variable and difficult to predict, owing to the high level of molecular heterogeneity among patients with CRC. Although classification into consensus molecular subtypes could optimize response prediction to targeted therapies, the acquisition of resistance mutations to targeted therapy is, in part, responsible for the lack of response in some patients. However, the acquisition of such mutations can induce challenges in clinical practice. The utility of liquid biopsy to detect resistance mutations against anti-EGFR therapy has recently been described. This approach may constitute a new standard in the decision algorithm for targeted CRC therapy.展开更多
The clinical utility of liquid biopsy in cancer treatment will increase as circulating tumor cells （CTCs） analysis move from the enumeration to the real-time measurement of tumor characteristics. Intratumor heteroge...The clinical utility of liquid biopsy in cancer treatment will increase as circulating tumor cells （CTCs） analysis move from the enumeration to the real-time measurement of tumor characteristics. Intratumor heterogeneity is becoming increasingly recognized as a major drawback to the shift to personalized medicine. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity might be reflected by the serial assessment of CTCs. Indeed, the developing technologies for CTCs analysis now allow digital genomic and next- generation sequencing approaches, able to differentiate molecular subtypes of the disease and to monitor genetic variation over time. The liquid biopsy of cancer might offer a real-time assessment of tumor biology, providing the opportunity to serially evaluate patients most likely to benefit from targeted drugs based on a dynamic characterization of the disease at the molecular level. Mthough hurdles remain before liquid biopsy is seen in routine clinical practice, the information derived from CTCs may facilitate the real-time identification of actionable mutations in cancer leading the way toward personalized medicine.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most prevalent cancers and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.The treatment strategy employed in CRC patients is becoming highly dependent on molecular char...Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most prevalent cancers and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.The treatment strategy employed in CRC patients is becoming highly dependent on molecular characteristics present at diagnosis and during treatment.Liquid biopsy is an emerging field in the management of this cancer,and its relevance as a potential diagnostic,prognostic,monitoring,and therapeutic tool makes it a viable strategy in the clinical management of CRC patients.Liquid biopsy also has certain limitations,but these limitations seem to be at the reach of near-future technological development.In this letter,we focus on the clinical perspectives of liquid biopsy in CRC with particular regard to the various biomarkers recently identified that have been shown to be potentially useful in multiple aspects of early stage or metastatic CRC.展开更多
Background:KMT2(lysine methyltransferase)family enzymes are epigenetic regulators that activate gene transcription.KMT2C is mainly involved in enhancer-associated H3K4me1,and is also one of the top mutated genes in ca...Background:KMT2(lysine methyltransferase)family enzymes are epigenetic regulators that activate gene transcription.KMT2C is mainly involved in enhancer-associated H3K4me1,and is also one of the top mutated genes in cancer(6.6%in pan-cancer).Currently,the clinical significance of KMT2C mutations in prostate cancer is understudied.Methods:We included 221 prostate cancer patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2021 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University with cell-free DNA-based liquid biopsy test results in this study.We investigated the association between KMT2C mutations,other mutations,and pathways.Furthermore,we evaluated the prognostic value of KMT2C mutations,measured by overall survival(OS)and castration resistance-free survival(CRFS).Also,we explored the prognostic value of KMT2C mutations in different patient subgroups.Lastly,we investigated the predictive value of KMT2C mutations in individuals receiving conventional combined anti-androgen blockade(CAB)and abiraterone(ABI)as measured by PSA progression-free survival(PSA-PFS).Results:The KMT2C mutation rate in this cohort is 7.24%(16/221).KMT2C-mutated patients showed worse survival than KMT2C-wild type(WT)patients regarding both CRFS and OS(CRFS:mutated:9.9 vs.WT:22.0 months,p=0.015;OS:mutated:71.9 vs.WT 137.4 months,p=0.012).KMT2C mutations were also an independent risk factor in OS[hazard ratio:3.815(1.461,9.96),p=0.006]in multivariate analyses.Additionally,we explored the association of KMT2C mutations with other genes.This showed that KMT2C mutations were associated with Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase 11(STK11,p=0.004)and Catenin Beta 1(CTNNB1,p=0.008)mutations.In the CAB treatment,KMT2C-mutated patients had a significantly shorter PSA-PFS compared to KMT2C-WT patients.(PSA-PFS:mutated:9.9 vs.WT:17.6 months,p=0.014).Moreover,KMT2C mutations could effectively predict shorter PSA-PFS in 10 out of 23 subgroups and exhibited a strong trend in the remaining subgroups.Conclusions:KMT2C-mutated patients showed worse survival compared to KMT2C-WT patients in terms of both CRFS and OS,and KMT2C mutations were associated with STK11 and CTNNB1 mutations.Furthermore,KMT2C mutations indicated rapid progression during CAB therapy and could serve as a potential biomarker to predict therapeutic response in prostate cancer.展开更多
Pancreatic cancer(PC)continues to pose a major clinical challenge.There has been little improvement in patient survival over the past few decades,and it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer mortal...Pancreatic cancer(PC)continues to pose a major clinical challenge.There has been little improvement in patient survival over the past few decades,and it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer mortality by 2030.The dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 10%after the diagnosis is attributable to the lack of early symptoms,the absence of specific biomarkers for an early diagnosis,and the inadequacy of available chemotherapies.Most patients are diagnosed when the disease has already metastasized and cannot be treated.Cancer interception is vital,actively intervening in the malignization process before the development of a full-blown advanced tumor.An early diagnosis of PC has a dramatic impact on the survival of patients,and improved techniques are urgently needed to detect and evaluate this disease at an early stage.It is difficult to obtain tissue biopsies from the pancreas due to its anatomical position;however,liquid biopsies are readily available and can provide useful information for the diagnosis,prognosis,stratification,and follow-up of patients with PC and for the design of individually tailored treatments.The aim of this review was to provide an update of the latest advances in knowledge on the application of carbohydrates,proteins,cell-free nucleic acids,circulating tumor cells,metabo-lome compounds,exosomes,and platelets in blood as potential biomarkers for PC,focusing on their clinical relevance and potential for improving patient outcomes.展开更多
The following letter to the editor highlights the review titled“Liquid biopsy in cholangiocarcinoma:Current status and future perspective”in World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021;13:332-350.It is necessary to realize indi...The following letter to the editor highlights the review titled“Liquid biopsy in cholangiocarcinoma:Current status and future perspective”in World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021;13:332-350.It is necessary to realize individualized therapy to improve the clinical prognosis of patients with cholangiocarcinoma.展开更多
BACKGROUND In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC),the treatment options are limited and have been proved to be affected by rat sarcoma virus(RAS)mutational status.In RAS wild-type(wt)patients,the combinat...BACKGROUND In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC),the treatment options are limited and have been proved to be affected by rat sarcoma virus(RAS)mutational status.In RAS wild-type(wt)patients,the combination of antiepidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)monoclonal antibodies with chemotherapy(CT)is more effective than CT alone.On the other hand,RAS-mutated patients are not eligible for treatment with anti-EGFR antibodies.CASE SUMMARY Eleven patients with initially RAS-mutated mCRC were followed from diagnosis to May 2022.At the time of cell-free DNA determination,five patients had undergone one CT line,five patients had undergone two CT lines,and one patient had undergone three CT lines(all in combination with bevacizumab).At the second and third treatment lines[second line(2L),third line(3L)],patients with neo-RAS wt received a combination of CT and cetuximab.In neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR,our findings indicated an increase in progression-free survival for both 2L and 3L(14.5 mo,P=0.119 and 3.9 mo,P=0.882,respectively).Regarding 2L overall survival,we registered a slight increase in neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR(33.6 mo vs 32.4 mo,P=0.385).At data cut-off,two patients were still alive:A RAS-mutated patient undergoing 3L treatment and a neo-RAS wt patient who received 2L treatment with anti-EGFR(ongoing).CONCLUSION Our case series demonstrated that monitoring RAS mutations in mCRC by liquid biopsy may provide an additional treatment line for neo-RAS wt patients.展开更多
Precision medicine is based on the identification of biomarkers of tumor development and progression.Liquid biopsy is at the forefront of the ability to gather diagnostic and prognostic information on tumors,as it can...Precision medicine is based on the identification of biomarkers of tumor development and progression.Liquid biopsy is at the forefront of the ability to gather diagnostic and prognostic information on tumors,as it can be noninvasively performed prior or during treatment.Liquid biopsy mostly utilizes circulating tumor cells,or free DNA,but also exosomes.The latter are nanovesicles secreted by most cell types,found in any body fluid that deliver proteins,nucleic acids and lipids to nearby and distant cells with a unique homing ability.Exosomes function in signalling between the tumor microenvironment and the rest of the body,promoting metastasis,immune remodelling and drug resistance.Exosomes are emerging as a key tool in precision medicine for cancer liquid biopsy,as they efficiently preserve their biomarker cargo.Moreover,exosomes strongly resemble the parental cell,which can help in assessing the oxidative and metabolic state of the donor cell.In this respect,exosomes represent one of the most promising new tools to fight cancer.This review will discuss the clinical applications of profiling exosomal proteins and lipids by high-throughput proteomics and metabolomics,and nucleic acids by next generation sequencing,as well as how this may allow cancer diagnosis,therapy response monitoring and recurrence detection.展开更多
BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal tumors are among the most common cancer types,and early detection is paramount to improve their management.Cell-free DNA(cfDNA)liquid biopsy raises significant hopes for non-invasive early ...BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal tumors are among the most common cancer types,and early detection is paramount to improve their management.Cell-free DNA(cfDNA)liquid biopsy raises significant hopes for non-invasive early detection.AIM To describe current applications of this technology for gastrointestinal cancer detection and screening.METHODS A systematic review of the literature was performed across the PubMed database.Articles reporting the use of cfDNA liquid biopsy in the screening or diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers were included in the analysis.RESULTS A total of 263 articles were screened for eligibility,of which 13 articles were included.Studies investigated colorectal cancer(5 studies),pancreatic cancer(2 studies),hepatocellular carcinoma(3 studies),and multi-cancer detection(3 studies),including gastric,oesophageal,or bile duct cancer,representing a total of 4824 patients.Test sensitivities ranged from 71% to 100%,and specificities ranged from 67.4% to 100%.Pre-cancerous lesions detection was less performant with a sensitivity of 16.9% and a 100% specificity in one study.Another study using a large biobank demonstrated a 94.9% sensitivity in detecting cancer up to 4 years before clinical symptoms,with a 61% accuracy in tissue-of-origin identification.CONCLUSION cfDNA liquid biopsy seems capable of detecting gastrointestinal cancers at an early stage of development in a non-invasive and repeatable manner and screening simultaneously for multiple cancer types in a single blood sample.Further trials in clinically relevant settings are required to determine the exact place of this technology in gastrointestinal cancer screening and diagnosis strategies.展开更多
文摘Pediatric cancers are particularly significant due to their uncommon occurrence in children,driven by a variety of underlying factors.Because of their distinct molecular and genetic makeup,which makes early detection challenging,they are linked to problems.Diagnostic methods like imaging and tissue biopsy are only effective when the tumor has reached a size that can be identified.The liquid biopsy technique,the least intrusive and most convenient diagnostic method,is the subject of this review.It focuses on the significance of single cell analysis in examining uncommon cancer types.The many biomarkers found in bodily fluids and the cancer types they are linked to in children have been assessed,as has the potential route towards early detection and cancer recurrence forecasting.Combining the single cell liquid biopsy with the newest technologies,such as computational and multi-omics approaches,which have improved the efficiency of processing massive and unique genetic data,appears promising.This article discusses on a number of case reports for uncommon pediatric malignancies,such as Neuroblastoma,Medulloblastoma,Wilms Tumor,Rhabdomyosarcoma,Ewing Sarcoma,and Retinoblastoma,as well as their liquid biopsy profiles.Furthermore,the findings raise ethical questions regarding the therapeutic application of the technology as well as possible difficulties related to clinical translation.The likelihood that this single cell liquid biopsy will be clinically validated and eventually used as a routine diagnostic tool for uncommon pediatric cancers will rise with the realistic approach to sensitivity monitoring,specificity upgrading,and optimization.
文摘Genitourinary neoplasms,including bladder,prostate,renal,and testicular cancers,represent 25%of all solid tumors worldwide.Great advances have been achieved in the last few decades in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.Among these,liquid biopsy(LB)technology has evolved during the past few years and offers emerging and novel modalities in the field of oncology.LB is performed by withdrawing bodily fluids(i.e.,blood or urine)and looking for circulating tumor DNA,circulating tumor cells,extracellular vesicles,and non-coding RNAs,among others.Over the past years,several technologies have been developed to isolate and analyze the tumor burden.LB is less invasive than traditional biopsies and has many applications,including early screening,providing diagnostic cues,predicting disease severity and survival outcomes,assessing response and resistance to treatment,detecting minimal tumor burden before radiological evidence,and monitoring for disease recurrence.However,multiple challenges still need to be addressed,including reduction in variability between assays,standardization of protocols,and validation in large trials to ensure reliability.This review will focus on the latest advancements in LB applications for diagnostic and prognostic characterization of genitourinary cancers.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers are among the most lethal malignancies due to late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options.Liquid biopsy has emerged as a minimally invasive tool for early cancer detection,prognosis,and therapeutic monitoring.AIM To concise the available data on liquid biopsy and establish its role in hepato-biliary surgeries.METHODS This systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2009 guidelines.A comprehensive lite-rature search was performed using PubMed,Scopus,Web of Science,and EMBASE for studies published up to March 2025.Studies assessing the role of circulating tumor DNA,circulating tumor cells,exosomes,and other liquid biopsy markers in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers were included.The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for clinical trials.RESULTS Liquid biopsy demonstrated significant potential for early cancer detection,perioperative risk stratification,intraoperative surgical decision-making,and postoperative monitoring of minimal residual disease.However,challenges remain regarding standardization,sensitivity,and clinical validation.CONCLUSION Liquid biopsy represents a paradigm shift in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer management.Advancements in next-generation sequencing and artificial intelligence may enhance its clinical utility.Further large-scale studies are needed to establish standardized protocols for routine implementation.
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), with its high incidence and mortality rate, is one of the most common malignant tumors. Despite recent development of a diagnostic and treatment method, the prognosis of HCC remains poor. Therefore, to provide optimal treatment for each patient with HCC, more precise and effective biomarkers are urgently needed which could facilitate a more detailed individualized decision-making during HCC treatment, including the following; risk assessment, early cancer detection, prediction of treatment or prognostic outcome. In the blood of cancer patients, accumulating evidence about circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids has suggested their potent clinical utilities as novel biomarker. This concept, so-called "liquid biopsy" is widely known as an alternative approach to cancer tissue biopsy. This method might facilitate a more sensitive diagnosis and better decision-making by obtaining genetic and epigenetic aberrations that are closely associated with cancer initiation and progression. In this article, we review recent developments based on the available literature on both circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids in cancer patients, especially focusing on Hepatocellular carcinoma.
文摘To improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients, early detection and accurate monitoring of diseases are necessary. Numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations contribute to oncogenesis and cancer progression, and analyses of these changes have been increasingly utilized for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes in malignant diseases including gastric cancer (GC). Surgical and/or biopsy specimens are generally used to understand the tumor-associated alterations; however, those approaches cannot always be performed because of their invasive characteristics and may fail to reflect current tumor dynamics and drug sensitivities, which may change during the therapeutic process. Therefore, the importance of developing a non-invasive biomarker with the ability to monitor real-time tumor dynamics should be emphasized. This concept, so called “liquid biopsy”, would provide an ideal therapeutic strategy for an individual cancer patient and would facilitate the development of “tailor-made” cancer management programs. In the blood of cancer patients, the presence and potent utilities of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs) such as DNA, mRNA and microRNA have been recognized, and their clinical relevance is attracting considerable attention. In this review, we discuss recent developments in this research field as well as the relevance and future perspectives of CTCs and cfNAs in cancer patients, especially focusing on GC.
文摘Metastasis is the major cause of mortality in cancer disease and still constitutes one of the most controversial mechanism,not yet fully understood.What is almost beyond doubt is that circulatory system is crucial for cancer propagation.Regarding this system,much attention has been recently paid to liquid biopsy.This technique is aimed to detect circulating tumor cells(CTCs)and circulating nucleic acids so it can be used as a tool for diagnostic,prognostic and follow-up of patients.Whereas CTCs tend to be scarce in serum and plasma from cancer patient,abundant circulating nucleic acids can be detected in the same location.This fact,together with the genetic origin of cancer,stands out the relevance of circulating nucleic acids and shed light into the role of nucleic acids as drivers of metastasis,a recently discovered phenomenon called Genometastasis.This innovative theory supports the transfer of oncogenes from cancer cells to normal and susceptible cells located in distant target organs through circulatory system.What is more,many biological processes haven been described to deliver and secrete circulating nucleic acids into the circulation which can allow such horizontal transfer of oncogenes.In this review,we focus not only on these mechanisms but also we demonstrate its putative role in cancer propagation and give insights about possible therapeutic strategies based on this theory.Our objective is to demonstrate how findings about cell-to-cell communications and previous results can agree with this unprecedented theory.
文摘After the study of circulating tumor cells in blood through liquid biopsy(LB),this technique has evolved to encompass the analysis of multiple materials originating from the tumor,such as nucleic acids,extracellular vesicles,tumor-educated platelets,and other metabolites.Additionally,research has extended to include the examination of samples other than blood or plasma,such as saliva,gastric juice,urine,or stool.LB techniques are diverse,intricate,and variable.They must be highly sensitive,and pre-analytical,patient,and tumor-related factors significantly influence the detection threshold,diagnostic method selection,and potential results.Consequently,the implementation of LB in clinical practice still faces several challenges.The potential applications of LB range from early cancer detection to guiding targeted therapy or immunotherapy in both early and advanced cancer cases,monitoring treatment response,early identification of relapses,or assessing patient risk.On the other hand,gastric cancer(GC)is a disease often diagnosed at advanced stages.Despite recent advances in molecular understanding,the currently available treatment options have not substantially improved the prognosis for many of these patients.The application of LB in GC could be highly valuable as a non-invasive method for early diagnosis and for enhancing the management and outcomes of these patients.In this comprehensive review,from a pathologist’s perspective,we provide an overview of the main options available in LB,delve into the fundamental principles of the most studied techniques,explore the potential utility of LB application in the context of GC,and address the obstacles that need to be overcome in the future to make this innovative technique a game-changer in cancer diagnosis and treatment within clinical practice.
文摘Cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)are a heterogeneous group of tumors in terms of aetiology,natural history,morphological subtypes,molecular alterations and management,but all sharing complex diagnosis,management,and poor prognosis.Several mutated genes and epigenetic changes have been detected in CCA,with the potential to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.Accessing tumoral components and genetic material is therefore crucial for the diagnosis,management and selection of targeted therapies;but sampling tumor tissue,when possible,is often risky and difficult to be repeated at different time points.Liquid biopsy(LB)represents a way to overcome these issues and comprises a diverse group of methodologies centering around detection of tumor biomarkers from fluid samples.Compared to the traditional tissue sampling methods LB is less invasive and can be serially repeated,allowing a real-time monitoring of the tumor genetic profile or the response to therapy.In this review,we analysis the current evidence on the possible roles of LB(circulating DNA,circulating RNA,exosomes,cytokines)in the diagnosis and management of patients affected by CCA.
基金The Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,No.ZR2020MH238.
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive tract,with the annual incidence and mortality increasing consistently.Oxaliplatinbased chemotherapy is a preferred therapeutic regimen for patients with advanced CRC.However,most patients will inevitably develop resistance to oxaliplatin.Many studies have reported that non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs),such as microRNAs,long non-coding RNAs,and circular RNAs,are extensively involved in cancer progression.Moreover,emerging evidence has revealed that ncRNAs mediate chemoresistance to oxaliplatin by transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation,and by epigenetic modification.In this review,we summarize the mechanisms by which ncRNAs regulate the initiation and development of CRC chemoresistance to oxaliplatin.Furthermore,we investigate the clinical application of ncRNAs as promising biomarkers for liquid CRC biopsy.This review provides new insights into overcoming oxaliplatin resistance in CRC by targeting ncRNAs.
基金Supported by Talent Scientific Research Start-up Foundation of Wannan Medical College,No.WYRCQD2023045.
文摘With the rapid development of science and technology,cell-free DNA(cfDNA)is rapidly becoming an important biomarker for tumor diagnosis,monitoring and prognosis,and this cfDNA-based liquid biopsy technology has great potential to become an important part of precision medicine.cfDNA is the total amount of free DNA in the systemic circulation,including DNA fragments derived from tumor cells and all other somatic cells.Tumor cells release fragments of DNA into the bloodstream,and this source of cfDNA is called circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA).cfDNA detection has become a major focus in the field of tumor research in recent years,which provides a new opportunity for non-invasive diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.In this paper,we discuss the limitations of the study on the origin and dynamics analysis of ctDNA,and how to solve these problems in the future.Although the future faces major challenges,it also con-tains great potential.
文摘Epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC)is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy in the western world.The majority of women presenting with the disease are asymptomatic and it has been dubbed the“silent killer”.To date there is no effective minimally invasive method of stratifying those with the disease or screening for the disease in the general population.Recent molecular and pathological discoveries,along with the advancement of scientific technology,means there is a real possibility of having disease-specific liquid biopsies available within the clinical environment in the near future.In this review we discuss these discoveries,particularly in relation to the most common and aggressive form of EOC,and their role in making this possibility a reality.
基金Supported by Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo de Chile,Fondo Nacional de Investigación en Salud (FONIS),No. SA20I0059。
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a major cause of mortality worldwide, associated with a steadily growing prevalence. Notably, the identification of KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutations has markedly improved targeted CRC therapy by affording treatments directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and other anti-angiogenic therapies. However, the survival benefit conferred by these therapies remains variable and difficult to predict, owing to the high level of molecular heterogeneity among patients with CRC. Although classification into consensus molecular subtypes could optimize response prediction to targeted therapies, the acquisition of resistance mutations to targeted therapy is, in part, responsible for the lack of response in some patients. However, the acquisition of such mutations can induce challenges in clinical practice. The utility of liquid biopsy to detect resistance mutations against anti-EGFR therapy has recently been described. This approach may constitute a new standard in the decision algorithm for targeted CRC therapy.
文摘The clinical utility of liquid biopsy in cancer treatment will increase as circulating tumor cells （CTCs） analysis move from the enumeration to the real-time measurement of tumor characteristics. Intratumor heterogeneity is becoming increasingly recognized as a major drawback to the shift to personalized medicine. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity might be reflected by the serial assessment of CTCs. Indeed, the developing technologies for CTCs analysis now allow digital genomic and next- generation sequencing approaches, able to differentiate molecular subtypes of the disease and to monitor genetic variation over time. The liquid biopsy of cancer might offer a real-time assessment of tumor biology, providing the opportunity to serially evaluate patients most likely to benefit from targeted drugs based on a dynamic characterization of the disease at the molecular level. Mthough hurdles remain before liquid biopsy is seen in routine clinical practice, the information derived from CTCs may facilitate the real-time identification of actionable mutations in cancer leading the way toward personalized medicine.
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most prevalent cancers and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.The treatment strategy employed in CRC patients is becoming highly dependent on molecular characteristics present at diagnosis and during treatment.Liquid biopsy is an emerging field in the management of this cancer,and its relevance as a potential diagnostic,prognostic,monitoring,and therapeutic tool makes it a viable strategy in the clinical management of CRC patients.Liquid biopsy also has certain limitations,but these limitations seem to be at the reach of near-future technological development.In this letter,we focus on the clinical perspectives of liquid biopsy in CRC with particular regard to the various biomarkers recently identified that have been shown to be potentially useful in multiple aspects of early stage or metastatic CRC.
基金This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC 81902577)the Research Foundation for the Postdoctoral Program of Sichuan University(2021SCU12014).
文摘Background:KMT2(lysine methyltransferase)family enzymes are epigenetic regulators that activate gene transcription.KMT2C is mainly involved in enhancer-associated H3K4me1,and is also one of the top mutated genes in cancer(6.6%in pan-cancer).Currently,the clinical significance of KMT2C mutations in prostate cancer is understudied.Methods:We included 221 prostate cancer patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2021 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University with cell-free DNA-based liquid biopsy test results in this study.We investigated the association between KMT2C mutations,other mutations,and pathways.Furthermore,we evaluated the prognostic value of KMT2C mutations,measured by overall survival(OS)and castration resistance-free survival(CRFS).Also,we explored the prognostic value of KMT2C mutations in different patient subgroups.Lastly,we investigated the predictive value of KMT2C mutations in individuals receiving conventional combined anti-androgen blockade(CAB)and abiraterone(ABI)as measured by PSA progression-free survival(PSA-PFS).Results:The KMT2C mutation rate in this cohort is 7.24%(16/221).KMT2C-mutated patients showed worse survival than KMT2C-wild type(WT)patients regarding both CRFS and OS(CRFS:mutated:9.9 vs.WT:22.0 months,p=0.015;OS:mutated:71.9 vs.WT 137.4 months,p=0.012).KMT2C mutations were also an independent risk factor in OS[hazard ratio:3.815(1.461,9.96),p=0.006]in multivariate analyses.Additionally,we explored the association of KMT2C mutations with other genes.This showed that KMT2C mutations were associated with Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase 11(STK11,p=0.004)and Catenin Beta 1(CTNNB1,p=0.008)mutations.In the CAB treatment,KMT2C-mutated patients had a significantly shorter PSA-PFS compared to KMT2C-WT patients.(PSA-PFS:mutated:9.9 vs.WT:17.6 months,p=0.014).Moreover,KMT2C mutations could effectively predict shorter PSA-PFS in 10 out of 23 subgroups and exhibited a strong trend in the remaining subgroups.Conclusions:KMT2C-mutated patients showed worse survival compared to KMT2C-WT patients in terms of both CRFS and OS,and KMT2C mutations were associated with STK11 and CTNNB1 mutations.Furthermore,KMT2C mutations indicated rapid progression during CAB therapy and could serve as a potential biomarker to predict therapeutic response in prostate cancer.
基金Junta de Andalucia,No.PC-0498-2017 and No.PC-0549-2017.
文摘Pancreatic cancer(PC)continues to pose a major clinical challenge.There has been little improvement in patient survival over the past few decades,and it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer mortality by 2030.The dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 10%after the diagnosis is attributable to the lack of early symptoms,the absence of specific biomarkers for an early diagnosis,and the inadequacy of available chemotherapies.Most patients are diagnosed when the disease has already metastasized and cannot be treated.Cancer interception is vital,actively intervening in the malignization process before the development of a full-blown advanced tumor.An early diagnosis of PC has a dramatic impact on the survival of patients,and improved techniques are urgently needed to detect and evaluate this disease at an early stage.It is difficult to obtain tissue biopsies from the pancreas due to its anatomical position;however,liquid biopsies are readily available and can provide useful information for the diagnosis,prognosis,stratification,and follow-up of patients with PC and for the design of individually tailored treatments.The aim of this review was to provide an update of the latest advances in knowledge on the application of carbohydrates,proteins,cell-free nucleic acids,circulating tumor cells,metabo-lome compounds,exosomes,and platelets in blood as potential biomarkers for PC,focusing on their clinical relevance and potential for improving patient outcomes.
基金Wuhan Municipal Health Commission,No.WX14B22National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81874208 and No.81700425.
文摘The following letter to the editor highlights the review titled“Liquid biopsy in cholangiocarcinoma:Current status and future perspective”in World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021;13:332-350.It is necessary to realize individualized therapy to improve the clinical prognosis of patients with cholangiocarcinoma.
文摘BACKGROUND In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC),the treatment options are limited and have been proved to be affected by rat sarcoma virus(RAS)mutational status.In RAS wild-type(wt)patients,the combination of antiepidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)monoclonal antibodies with chemotherapy(CT)is more effective than CT alone.On the other hand,RAS-mutated patients are not eligible for treatment with anti-EGFR antibodies.CASE SUMMARY Eleven patients with initially RAS-mutated mCRC were followed from diagnosis to May 2022.At the time of cell-free DNA determination,five patients had undergone one CT line,five patients had undergone two CT lines,and one patient had undergone three CT lines(all in combination with bevacizumab).At the second and third treatment lines[second line(2L),third line(3L)],patients with neo-RAS wt received a combination of CT and cetuximab.In neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR,our findings indicated an increase in progression-free survival for both 2L and 3L(14.5 mo,P=0.119 and 3.9 mo,P=0.882,respectively).Regarding 2L overall survival,we registered a slight increase in neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR(33.6 mo vs 32.4 mo,P=0.385).At data cut-off,two patients were still alive:A RAS-mutated patient undergoing 3L treatment and a neo-RAS wt patient who received 2L treatment with anti-EGFR(ongoing).CONCLUSION Our case series demonstrated that monitoring RAS mutations in mCRC by liquid biopsy may provide an additional treatment line for neo-RAS wt patients.
基金This study was supported by the Italian Ministry of Health-Cinque per mille and Ricerca Corrente to Istituto Giannina Gaslini and Fondazione Malattie Renali del Bambino OLNUS.
文摘Precision medicine is based on the identification of biomarkers of tumor development and progression.Liquid biopsy is at the forefront of the ability to gather diagnostic and prognostic information on tumors,as it can be noninvasively performed prior or during treatment.Liquid biopsy mostly utilizes circulating tumor cells,or free DNA,but also exosomes.The latter are nanovesicles secreted by most cell types,found in any body fluid that deliver proteins,nucleic acids and lipids to nearby and distant cells with a unique homing ability.Exosomes function in signalling between the tumor microenvironment and the rest of the body,promoting metastasis,immune remodelling and drug resistance.Exosomes are emerging as a key tool in precision medicine for cancer liquid biopsy,as they efficiently preserve their biomarker cargo.Moreover,exosomes strongly resemble the parental cell,which can help in assessing the oxidative and metabolic state of the donor cell.In this respect,exosomes represent one of the most promising new tools to fight cancer.This review will discuss the clinical applications of profiling exosomal proteins and lipids by high-throughput proteomics and metabolomics,and nucleic acids by next generation sequencing,as well as how this may allow cancer diagnosis,therapy response monitoring and recurrence detection.
文摘BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal tumors are among the most common cancer types,and early detection is paramount to improve their management.Cell-free DNA(cfDNA)liquid biopsy raises significant hopes for non-invasive early detection.AIM To describe current applications of this technology for gastrointestinal cancer detection and screening.METHODS A systematic review of the literature was performed across the PubMed database.Articles reporting the use of cfDNA liquid biopsy in the screening or diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers were included in the analysis.RESULTS A total of 263 articles were screened for eligibility,of which 13 articles were included.Studies investigated colorectal cancer(5 studies),pancreatic cancer(2 studies),hepatocellular carcinoma(3 studies),and multi-cancer detection(3 studies),including gastric,oesophageal,or bile duct cancer,representing a total of 4824 patients.Test sensitivities ranged from 71% to 100%,and specificities ranged from 67.4% to 100%.Pre-cancerous lesions detection was less performant with a sensitivity of 16.9% and a 100% specificity in one study.Another study using a large biobank demonstrated a 94.9% sensitivity in detecting cancer up to 4 years before clinical symptoms,with a 61% accuracy in tissue-of-origin identification.CONCLUSION cfDNA liquid biopsy seems capable of detecting gastrointestinal cancers at an early stage of development in a non-invasive and repeatable manner and screening simultaneously for multiple cancer types in a single blood sample.Further trials in clinically relevant settings are required to determine the exact place of this technology in gastrointestinal cancer screening and diagnosis strategies.
