Perspectives of the liquid biopsy in clinical oncology

Cancer Diagnostics Conference & Expo

June 13-15, 2016 Rome, Italy

Mario Pazzagli

University of Florence, Italy

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Liquid biopsies are non-invasive blood diagnostic tests that detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and/or fragments of tumor DNA that are shed into the blood from the primary tumor and from metastatic sites. This approach can have an enormous diagnostic and treatment implication for oncology that can transform clinical oncology practice and that it is part of the personalized medicine. Whereas tumor genome sequencing is already central to inform treatment decisions and the management of oncological patients, the liquid biopsy may represent the non-invasive approach to monitor tumor genomic changes in real time. This will allow clinicians to ensure that the therapy they have selected based on a particular molecular target, remains relevant and eventually observe the emergence of any resistance. Eventually, it would be possible to observe if any new molecular targets appear that could be suitable for a different treatment. All this could help to provide patients with the right treatment for the right target without delay. Liquid biopsies also present us with a unique opportunity to move forward with our understanding of metastatic disease development and they may help to identify signaling pathways involved in cell invasiveness and metastatic competence. Moreover these tests have the possibility to be used in screening programs at least for some kind of cancers. At the end, the liquid biopsy can revolutionize cancer care, providing clinicians with rapid access to information on a molecular level at diagnosis, thereby optimizing treatment choices.

Biography :

Email: m.pazzagli@dfc.unifi.it