It is a method for studying and diagnosing tumors in biological fluids, the most common being blood. It is a non-invasive alternative to surgical biopsies.
Blood tests are conducted in order to detect circulating cancerous cells, traces of DNA/RNA or proteins from the tumoral cells circulating in the bloodstream, and other tumor-related biomarkers.
What are its uses?
A liquid biopsy may be used to help find cancer at an early stage or for screening. It may also be used to help plan treatment or to find out how well treatment is working or if cancer has returned.
It can also provide real-time information about the genomic changes occurring in the tumor. After a surgery, liquid biopsies can also help to detect the presence of minimal residual disease, invisible in other imaging tests.
Its advantages
A liquid biopsy requires only a small volume of blood, from which plasma or serum can be separated and analyzed for tumor DNA or other cancer indicators. It offers significant advantages as its non-invasive nature makes it safer, more convenient, and therefore a more accepted option among patients. It is also quicker compared to invasive procedures such as surgical biopsies.
PreveCol® is a liquid biopsy test for screening which detects cancer even before symptoms appear or before it is visible on imaging scans. Likewise, regular blood tests can help physician understand the molecular changes of the tumor, the progression of the disease and how to plan a treatment.
