Liquid Biopsies – News and Features

Stanford Medicine researchers have created a liquid biopsy test capable of detecting cancers, molecular mechanisms of resistance to treatment and tissue injury.

Researchers showed that approximately 80 percent of stage 3 melanoma patients who had detectable levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) before they started treatment to suppress their tumors went on to experience recurrence.

A new, error-corrected method for detecting cancer from blood samples is much more sensitive and accurate than prior methods and may be useful for monitoring disease status in patients following treatment.

Cornell researchers have confirmed that a previously identified biomarker for detecting the presence of malignant testicular germ cell tumors has the potential to improve patient outcomes through early detection, possibly even prenatally.

New research from Mayo Clinic finds that the presence of a specific genetic mutation — KRAS circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) — strongly indicates a higher risk of cancer spread and worse survival rates for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

This article explores 6-base genome sequencing and how it is empowering researchers to expand their studies to include both genetic and epigenetic data. 

Colorectal cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma that harbored the KRAS G12C mutation often carried other genetic alterations that can be associated with resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors.

Researchers at Rice University and Vanderbilt University found that combining focused ultrasound (FUS) with TRAIL protein therapy significantly reduces prostate tumor size in lab models. The treatment enhances cancer cell death via Piezo1 activation.

Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University developed PAC-MANN, a blood test that detects pancreatic cancer with 98% accuracy. The test identifies protease activity linked to tumors, allowing earlier detection and tracking of treatment response.

A study finds that celecoxib improves disease-free survival in stage 3 colon cancer patients with positive ctDNA after surgery. The analysis highlights ctDNA’s predictive role in identifying patients who may benefit from anti-inflammatory drugs.