Abstract

LIQUID BIOPSY: ADVANCES IN THE DETECTION AND MONITORING OF CANCER

Alicia Armentia, María San Miguel, Angel San Miguel*, Sara Martín, Blanca Martín and Jose Antonio Garrote

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Abstract

Liquid biopsy is an innovative diagnostic approach that has revolutionized the field of oncology in recent years. Unlike traditional biopsies, which involve the removal of solid tissue, liquid biopsy is based on the analysis of molecular and cellular components present in samples of bodily fluids, such as blood or urine. This technique offers multiple advantages, including its non- invasiveness, its ability to detect genetic alterations, and the possibility of dynamic monitoring of the disease. In this article, we will explore the most recent advances in the field of liquid biopsy and its impact on the early detection and treatment of cancer. Liquid biopsy is based on the identification and analysis of specific biomarkers that are released into the bloodstream or other body fluids by tumor cells. These biomarkers may include circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles, and microRNA, among others. Detection of these biomarkers provides crucial information about the presence, type, stage, and genetic characteristics of cancer.

Keywords: Liquid biopsy, precision medicine, applications, challenges, oncology.