Liquid biopsy in cancer management - Integrating diagnostics and clinical applications - Abstract and Introduction

Sep 21, 2026

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Liquid biopsy is an innovative, minimally invasive diagnostic approach for cancer management that detects and analyzes cancer-related biomarkers in accessible bodily fluids such as blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. By profiling circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), exosomes, and other tumor-derived genetic materials, it supports tracking progression, early detection, therapy monitoring, and assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD). Clinical value includes identifying actionable mutations and potential drug resistance, while ongoing challenges remain in sensitivity, specificity, and standardization, requiring optimized workflows and regulatory frameworks for broad adoption.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages19

Reading Time48 min

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Abstract

1. Introduction

1.1. Background of cancer diagnostics

Practical Laboratory Medicine 43 (2025) e00446 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Practical Laboratory Medicine journal [homepage:](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/plabm)[ www.elsevier.com/locate/plabm](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/plabm) | Liquid biopsy in cancer management: Integrating diagnostics and clinical applications
Shashwat Pandey 1, Preeti Yadav 1,*
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, 226025, Lucknow, India | | | | --- | --- | --- | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | Keywords:
Liquid biopsy Cancer
Tissue biopsy Personalized medicine | | Liquid biopsy is an innovative, minimally invasive diagnostic tool revolutionizing cancer management by enabling the detection and analysis of cancer-related biomarkers from bodily fluids such as blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. Unlike traditional tissue biopsies, which require invasive procedures, liquid biopsy offers a more accessible and repeatable method for tracking cancer progression, detecting early-stage cancers, and monitoring therapeutic responses. The technology primarily focuses on analyzing circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and other cancer-derived genetic materials. These biomarkers provide critical information on tumor heterogeneity, mutation profiles, and potential drug resistance. In clinical practice, liquid biopsy has demonstrated its utility in identifying actionable mutations, guiding personalized treatment strategies, and assessing minimal residual disease (MRD). While liquid biopsy holds immense promise, challenges related to its sensitivity, specificity, and standardization remain. Efforts to optimize pre-analytical and analytical processes, along with the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks, are crucial for its widespread clinical adoption. This abstract highlights the transformative potential of liquid biopsy in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring, emphasizing its role in advancing personalized oncology. Further research, clinical trials, and regulatory harmonization will be vital in realizing its full potential in precision cancer care. | 1. Introduction Cancer is one of the most complex and lethal diseases faced by modern medicine. The need for accurate, timely, and non-invasive diagnostic tools has led to a transformative shift in how cancer is diagnosed and monitored. Traditional tissue biopsies, though effective in providing crucial information, are invasive, carry risks, and often fail to capture the full heterogeneity and dynamic nature of tumors over time. These limitations have paved the way for the development of liquid biopsy, a revolutionary approach that has the potential to reshape cancer diagnostics and clinical management [1]. Liquid biopsy refers to the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), exosomes, and other tumorderived components from easily accessible body fluids such as blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid (Fig. 1). This minimally invasive * Corresponding author. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmaceutical Science Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Vidya Vihar, Raibareli Road, 226 025, Lucknow, India. E-mail address: [preetiyadav8975@gmail.com](preetiyadav8975@gmail.com) (P. Yadav). 1 Both authors contributed equally. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plabm.2024.e00446](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plabm.2024.e00446) Received 12 October 2024; Received in revised form 26 November 2024; Accepted 23 December 2024 Available online 24 December 2024 2352-5517/© 2024 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)). technique enables real-time monitoring of tumor evolution, providing key insights into cancer genetics and m

FAQs

What is liquid biopsy in cancer management?

Liquid biopsy analyzes cancer-related components such as circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, exosomes, and other tumor-derived materials from easily accessible body fluids like blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid.

How does liquid biopsy differ from traditional tissue biopsy?

Unlike tissue biopsy, which is invasive and captures tumor information at a single time point, liquid biopsy is minimally invasive and supports repeated, real-time monitoring of tumor evolution.

What clinical uses are highlighted for liquid biopsy?

It can help identify actionable mutations, guide personalized treatment strategies, monitor therapeutic responses, detect minimal residual disease (MRD), and assess potential therapeutic resistance.

Sep 21, 2026

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