While the world is rising quicker with technological developments, the sector of medical science is transferring forward with it. Technology has helped medical doctors to treatment and stop main ailments and well being situations, the commonest being most cancers. Cancer is without doubt one of the preventable ailments and it may be cured if detected early. 

A study revealed by National Institute of Health states, “Early detection of cancer or precancerous change allows early intervention to try to slow or prevent cancer development and lethality.” 

In this text we’ll discover a brand new method that may assist in detecting most cancers early for which OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr (Prof) Vijay Patil, Consultant – Medical Oncology, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, Mahim, Mumbai. 

What Is Liquid Biopsy?

Liquid biopsy is without doubt one of the strategies that may assist in early detection of most cancers. Explaining what that is, Dr Patil stated, “Liquid biopsy is the scientific name for analysis of circulating cell free DNA, circulating tumour cells or exosomes in body fluids like blood, urine, sweat, etc.” 

Explaining additional concerning the outcomes of liquid biopsy, he stated, “The commonest fluid tested is blood. At present liquid biopsy of blood has a proven role in lung cancer for mutation analysis, in colon cancer for selection of adjuvant systemic therapy and in certain blood tumours for treatment selection and prognosis prediction.”  

According to Dr Patil, liquid biopsy is helpful for mutation detection, prognosis prediction and monitoring for clonal evolution. It can be affected person pleasant as it’s non-invasive and therefore might be repeated a number of occasions and giving an actual time thought concerning the most cancers standing. 

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Study Of Liquid Biopsy

Dr Patil was part of a big research which was executed in India that analysed the liquid biopsy in lung most cancers sufferers with EGFR mutation. 158 folks participated within the research and amongst them, the concordance fee 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 stated, “The chance of disease coming back was much lower in patients who had liquid biopsy negative as opposed to liquid biopsy positive patients at 2 months.”

As per the research highlights share by Dr Patil: 

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

2. Patients 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 will help for additional remedy. 

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Challenges Of Conducting Liquid Biopsy

As simple because it sounds, liquid biopsy has many challenges which can be to be overcome. As per Dr Patil, the strategy of doing liquid biopsy is sophisticated. “It needs next generation sequencing machines, trained technicians and trained molecular oncologists. The sample collection, DNA extraction, library preparation, amplification of DNA and sequencing protocols have to be well defined and quality controlled.  A detailed quality control algorithm of bioinformatic softwares and pipeline is a key. Hence use of liquid biopsy today is complementary to tissue biopsy,” Dr Patil stated. 

Conclusion

According to Dr Patil, liquid biopsy is being explored for the early detection of most cancers. However, utilizing this method for most cancers detection within the common inhabitants has very restricted knowledge. “We don’t have proven technology advances which show that using this technology helps the general population. However, once we get the technology to detect it, liquid biopsy will be instrumental in early detection, early treatment and improving treatment outcomes.” Concluding, Dr Patil stated, “At present it has no role in early detection of cancer. At present its use is restricted in patients who have a known diagnosis of cancer and is not a suitable alternative for cancer detection in the general population.”