Circulating Tumor DNA as a Liquid Biopsy in Cancer

Rui Zhang and Wenjun Yang

Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance (Ministry of Education), Medical Oncology Department of the General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, P. R. China
Department of Genetics, Medical College, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China

^*Correspondance to: Wenjun Yang 

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Abstract:

Circulating tumor DNA represents a promising biomarker for non-invasive assessment of cancer progression and evolution. Clinical management of cancer patients could be improved through the development of noninvasive approaches for diagnostic detection, prognosis and recurrent tumors. Biopsies are invasive, costly and provide only a snapshot of the mutations present at a given time and location. For some applications, mutation detection in plasma DNA as a liquid biopsy could potentially replace invasive biopsies as a means to assess tumor genetic characteristics. In this review, we summarize the development and clinical results using circulating tumor DNA and discuss how future studies involving both scientists and clinicians could help to further develop this tool for the benefit of cancer patients.

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Cite the Article:

Zhang R, Yang W. Circulating Tumor DNA as a Liquid Biopsy in Cancer. Clin Oncol. 2017; 2: 1265.