World Health Day: Doctor Explains Impact Of Liquid Biopsy Technology On Early Cancer Detection

Whereas the world is rising sooner with technological developments, the sphere of medical science is shifting forward with it. Expertise has helped docs to treatment and stop main ailments and well being situations, the most typical being most cancers. Most cancers is among the preventable ailments and it may be cured if detected early. 

A study revealed by Nationwide Institute of Well being states, “Early detection of most cancers or precancerous change permits early intervention to attempt to sluggish or forestall most cancers growth and lethality.” 

On this article we are going to discover a brand new approach that may assist in detecting most cancers early for which OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr (Prof) Vijay Patil, Advisor – Medical Oncology, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mahim, Mumbai. 

What Is Liquid Biopsy?

Liquid biopsy is among the strategies that may assist in early detection of most cancers. Explaining what that is, Dr Patil mentioned, “Liquid biopsy is the scientific identify for evaluation of circulating cell free DNA, circulating tumour cells or exosomes in physique fluids like blood, urine, sweat, and many others.” 

Explaining additional in regards to the outcomes of liquid biopsy, he mentioned, “The most typical fluid examined is blood. At current liquid biopsy of blood has a confirmed position in lung most cancers for mutation evaluation, in colon most cancers for choice of adjuvant systemic remedy and in sure blood tumours for remedy choice and prognosis prediction.”  

In keeping with Dr Patil, liquid biopsy is helpful for mutation detection, prognosis prediction and monitoring for clonal evolution. Additionally it is affected person pleasant as it’s non-invasive and therefore may be repeated a number of instances and giving an actual time thought in regards to the most cancers standing. 

Also read: Tomotherapy for Treating High-Risk Cancer: Doctor Shares Case Study Of 61-Year-Old With Rare Brain Condition

Examine Of Liquid Biopsy

Dr Patil was part of a big examine which was finished in India that analysed the liquid biopsy in lung most cancers sufferers with EGFR mutation. 158 folks participated within the examine and amongst them, the concordance charge between the tissue and blood was 75.4% at baseline previous to beginning remedy. After the remedy began, solely 25% sufferers had liquid biopsy which was optimistic. Dr Patil mentioned, “The possibility of illness coming again was a lot decrease in sufferers who had liquid biopsy unfavorable versus liquid biopsy optimistic sufferers at 2 months.”

As per the examine highlights share by Dr Patil: 

1. All sufferers who’ve most cancers and have mutation nonetheless the liquid biopsy may be unfavorable 

2. Sufferers in whom liquid biopsy was optimistic but it surely turns unfavorable the prognosis of those sufferers is sweet 

3. Liquid biopsy can choose up new mutations on comply with up which might help for additional remedy. 

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Challenges Of Conducting Liquid Biopsy

As simple because it sounds, liquid biopsy has many challenges which might be to be overcome. As per Dr Patil, the strategy of doing liquid biopsy is difficult. “It wants subsequent era sequencing machines, skilled technicians and skilled molecular oncologists. The pattern assortment, DNA extraction, library preparation, amplification of DNA and sequencing protocols need to be effectively outlined and high quality managed.  An in depth high quality management algorithm of bioinformatic softwares and pipeline is a key. Therefore use of liquid biopsy at this time is complementary to tissue biopsy,” Dr Patil mentioned. 

Conclusion

In keeping with Dr Patil, liquid biopsy is being explored for the early detection of most cancers. Nonetheless, utilizing this method for most cancers detection within the common inhabitants has very restricted knowledge. “We don’t have confirmed expertise advances which present that utilizing this expertise helps the final inhabitants. Nonetheless, as soon as we get the expertise to detect it, liquid biopsy will likely be instrumental in early detection, early remedy and enhancing remedy outcomes.” Concluding, Dr Patil mentioned, “At current it has no position in early detection of most cancers. At current its use is restricted in sufferers who’ve a recognized analysis of most cancers and isn’t an acceptable various for most cancers detection within the common inhabitants.”