How Liquid Biopsies Could Transform Cancer Treatment

Non-invasive techniques for detecting and monitoring tumours could significantly enhance cancer care by alleviating the discomfort associated with traditional biopsies. Biopsies have been crucial for obtaining necessary information on malignant tumours, but they often entail pain and require hospital visits. In late-stage cancer cases, particularly when the disease has spread, biopsies can be especially difficult for patients. Dr. Stuart Edmonds from the Canadian Cancer Society emphasizes that while biopsies are instrumental in understanding cancer, they can be taxing on patients.

Liquid biopsies represent a promising alternative. This method detects cancer by identifying disease-signaling biomarkers in a simple blood sample, allowing for early diagnosis and timely treatment. With their relative affordability and comfort, liquid biopsies could revolutionize cancer care, particularly for lung, ovarian, and other aggressive cancers that are usually diagnosed at advanced stages.

Cancers often present few or no initial symptoms, complicating early detection. Safe and cost-effective tests, like liquid biopsies, could streamline diagnosis without burdening patients or healthcare systems. These biopsies analyze bodily fluids—typically blood—to look for markers such as cells, DNA fragments, and proteins expelled by tumours. According to Dr. Peter Jianrui Liu of Oxford Cancer Analytics, understanding these biomarkers can provide vital information for diagnosing and monitoring cancer.

Liu focuses on lung cancer, which has the highest mortality rate in Canada. Early detection is critical but challenging, as lung cancer often goes unnoticed until more advanced stages. Motivated by personal experiences with cancer loss, Liu sought to identify early-stage biomarkers using blood. He chose to analyze proteins rather than DNA fragments, which had previously yielded inconclusive results, and employing machine learning, he pinpointed 20 proteins that correlate with lung cancer. The blood test developed from this research boasts over 90% accuracy.

Early diagnosis not only has the potential to save lives but also helps alleviate the financial strain on healthcare systems, as late-stage treatments are more costly. Liu envisions extending biomarker research to other cancers and even conditions like autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

Liquid biopsies can also provide ongoing monitoring for patients undergoing late-stage cancer treatment. Current practices require infrequent tissue biopsies and scans, often involving related discomfort and costs. In contrast, blood samples can be easily collected by local healthcare providers, enhancing the feasibility of regular monitoring.

mDETECT, a company co-founded by Dr. Irsa Wiginton, aims to analyze DNA fragments in blood samples from patients with the 10 most lethal cancers. Their approach allows for frequent testing options that provide real-time updates on treatment efficacy. This could enable oncologists to make necessary adjustments swiftly without exposing patients to ineffective therapies.

While individual cancer tests are being developed by companies like OxCan and mDETECT, others, such as Toronto-based Adela, are exploring the creation of multi-cancer screening tests. Though there’s potential for false positives, creating such versatile tools could expand screening access significantly.

Ultimately, the advancements in liquid biopsy technology signal the onset of a new era in cancer treatment, fostering proactive management and personalized therapies. Dr. Edmonds expresses optimism about these developments, noting that the fusion of molecular testing, improved imaging, and AI advancements could markedly enhance treatment outcomes. The extensive investments in cancer research are beginning to yield promising results, indicating a hopeful future for cancer diagnostics and therapies.