liquid biopsy
A blood test that detects cancer-related material such as circulating tumor cells or DNA, used for diagnosis and monitoring.
Full Definition
Liquid biopsy refers to the analysis of cancer-related biomarkers in blood or other body fluids, as opposed to traditional tissue biopsies. This technique can detect circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), or other cancer-derived materials. Liquid biopsies offer several advantages including ease of collection, ability to perform serial sampling, and potential to detect minimal residual disease or resistance mutations. Applications include cancer screening, monitoring treatment response, and detecting disease recurrence.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from routine blood tests or single tumor markers; emphasizes comprehensive molecular analysis.
In Context
- "Liquid biopsy detected circulating tumor DNA indicating disease recurrence." — laboratory report
- "Serial liquid biopsies were used to monitor treatment response." — clinical trial protocol