Liquid Biopsy for Non-Invasive Monitoring of Tumour Evolution and Response to Therapy

Liquid biopsy, a non-invasive method for analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), offers a promising approach for monitoring tumor evolution and therapy response in cancer patients. The study cohort consisted of 50 metastatic cancer patients with diverse tumor types, including breast, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer. We collected plasma samples at baseline and at regular intervals during treatment, and isolated ctDNA using a commercial kit. We performed targeted sequencing of a cancer-associated gene panel using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. We compared ctDNA profiles before and after treatment, and analyzed changes in tumor allele frequencies using a computational algorithm. We observed significant changes in ctDNA levels and profiles after treatment in the majority of patients (n = 38, 76%). In some cases, we detected the emergence of new mutations and alterations in tumor clonality, indicating the development of treatment resistance. We also identified several genetic alterations that were associated with therapy response, including mutations in TP53 and PIK3CA genes. Furthermore, we found that changes in ctDNA levels and profiles were correlated with radiological response and overall survival. Our research shows that liquid biopsy has the ability to monitor the progression of tumors and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment in individuals suffering from metastatic cancer, without the need for invasive procedures. Liquid biopsy can identify new mutations and changes in the makeup of tumor cells, providing valuable insights for treatment planning and personalized therapy. Liquid biopsy shows promise as a non-invasive method for guiding treatment decisions and creating personalized treatment strategies. Furthermore, the identification of genetic alterations associated with therapy response can help to optimize treatment regimens and improve patient outcomes. In conclusion, liquid biopsy presents a hopeful option for non-invasive monitoring of tumor evolution and therapy response in metastatic cancer patients. However, additional investigations are required to enhance the effectiveness of liquid biopsy in real-world medical settings and to establish consistent guidelines for ctDNA evaluation.