Biopsy techniques are not new in the diagnostics field. The technique was developed in the 12th century and has been a useful medical tool to examine any unexplainable growths in the human body. It's an essential methodology to understand the human body and is essential in the field of cancer research. Since no cancer condition is the same and has unique characteristics, the treatment condition requires specific information on that malignancy.
Unlike most diagnosis methods, biopsies commonly involve intrusive procedures that might even require extensive surgery in order to expose the lesion and remove a portion of that area to analyse. Advanced medical innovations have made it possible to use less invasive methods now.
While laparoscopic operations are common, the most favourable one is the liquid biopsy method. The best part of it is that even though liquid Biopsy is minimally invasive, the technique can obtain a vast amount of data on the malignancy. Read on to learn the in-depth principles and applications of liquid biopsy and understand its potential to transform cancer treatment.
Understanding the diagnostic facility liquid biopsy offers
Liquid Biopsy is commonly referred to as blood biopsy, which enables diagnostic specialists to use less invasive methods through blood tests to detect cancer. The blood serves as a biomarker in the body fluids to give potentially comprehensive details on the spread of cancer. The traditional biopsies primarily involved removing tissue samples from the tumour site. Hence, it offers a real-time record of the patient's cancer status.
In the blood samples, there are two varieties of cancer components available, i.e. intact circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and cell-free circulating tumour DNA (cfDNA). When the tumour cell enlarges, phagocytes' ability to remove necrotic and apoptotic pieces increases. This can lead to cfDNA passive release into the circulation. The diagnostic experts may use the patient's arm blood to analyse the cfDNA. These tumours are usually released into the bloodstream.
It's the tumour size and vascularity that affects the quantity of cfDNA released into the bloodstream. It can range from 0.01% to 90%. Therefore, liquid biopsies are a non-invasive approach to the genetic profiling of tumours.
Liquid Biopsy to make treatment decisions
Liquid Biopsy is a major cancer test that assists physicians in assessing and evaluating potential cancer treatment candidates for targeted therapy treatments. These treatments focus on certain cancer cells. The process selectively targets DNA errors seen in cancer cells that enable medical professionals to prescribe medications that lower the chance of cancer-replacing conditions. Moreover, a patient may receive a liquid Biopsy to diagnose cancer when a standard biopsy diagnosis is not feasible. It is especially important to address the patient's comfort or the possibility of organ damage during the intrusive surgery.
The risks and advantages involved in liquid Biopsy
While liquid biopsies may prove superior to tissue biopsies in certain situations, they will probably continue to be the gold standard for a long while in the future. Tumour tissue will be studied more thoroughly than blood samples until more advanced technologies are developed and more mutations analysed. Blood samples will continue to be useful for a variety of purposes. In order to better understand cancer genetics, before knowing its application, it's best to learn the advantages and risks they involve.
Benefits of liquid Biopsy
- A non-invasive approach for detecting tumour markers, utilised for patients unable to biopsies or to monitor treatment response.
- A cost-efficient diagnostic option compared to tumour biopsy and study.
- In order to minimise problems like intratumor heterogeneity, the research correctly characterises the genomic landscape of the tumour. This helps address intratumor heterogeneity and driver mutations that cause metastases.
- In comparison to tumour biopsies that are done before treatment and might miss resistance-indicating mutations, liquid biopsies collect serial samples throughout treatment. It can help identify drug resistance and tumour progression.
- Unlike tissue biopsy, which keeps tumour DNA in FFPE blocks, liquid Biopsy avoids DNA cross-linking. Hence, it is an easier procedure to sequence tumour DNA.
Challenges and limitations with liquid Biopsy
- Research focuses on enhancing the reliability of liquid biopsy results by increasing the sensitivity and specificity of cancer biomarker detection.
- It's possible that the tumour is expressing biomarkers that are not seen.
- The CTCs are fragile, heterogeneous and rated in the tests.
- Regarding the best technological techniques, there is not much validation for them.
FDA-approved liquid biopsy tests
-
cobas® EGFR Mutation Test v2
Healthcare professionals can use the cobas® EGFR Mutation Test v2 as a diagnostic tool to help them identify the most successful procedures for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The procedure can identify the common mutation in the EGR gene.
-
FoundationOne® Liquid CDx
FoundationOne® Liquid CDx is a cancer diagnostic tool that helps choose the best medical treatments by employing ctDNA to find mutations in different types of cancer.
-
Cell Search® Circulating Tumour Cell (CTC) Test
The Cell Search® Circulating Tumour Cell (CTC) Test is a diagnostic technique that is performed to predict the result of cancerous conditions in metastatic breast, prostate and colon areas. If the result is a positive prognosis, it indicates the presence of a few CTCs in the blood. However, if the result shows numerous CTCs, the prognosis is unfavourable for the patient.
-
Guardant360® CDx
Guardant360® CDx is another reliable liquid biopsy diagnostic tool. It helps medical professionals choose the best courses of action by identifying common genetic mistakes and ctDNA.
Applications of Liquid Biopsy
- Liquid Biopsy can detect cancer early, improving treatment outcomes. It helps find circulating tumour DNA and track cancer-related mutations before the onset of clinical symptoms.
- Liquid Biopsy allows for real-time adjustments to treatments for the best possible results by analysing changes in CTCs, cfDNA, and other biomarkers to assess a patient's reaction to treatment.
- Minimal residual disease (MRD) is the term for a tiny percentage of cancer cells that persist after therapy. Liquid Biopsy assists in identifying MRD and recommending treatment options to avoid disease recurrence.
- When a patient's genetic composition is taken into account, liquid Biopsy provides a comprehensive molecular profile of a tumour, allowing for personalised therapy and treatment strategies.
Also Read: New Era in Cervical Cancer Screening
Final Words:
With a lot of advantages and a significant shift of interest from healthcare professionals to address patient comfort, liquid Biopsy now stands as the top cancer diagnostics procedure. Many of the liquid biopsies are FDA-approved and include CTC and ctDNA tests. It helps healthcare providers to predict prognosis and monitor conditions.
However, the FDA claims that the outcomes might not always be reliable for cancer diagnosis. Hence, a standard Biopsy is essential for confirmation. Agilus Diagnostics offers information on the intricate nature of liquid Biopsy and its effectiveness in cancer management. As a better option compared to tissue biopsy, Agilus Diagnostics can perform liquid Biopsy to overcome tumour heterogeneity challenges.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
