A liquid biopsy, also known as fluid biopsy or fluid phase biopsy, is the sampling and analysis of non-solid biological tissue, primarily blood.[1][2] Like traditional biopsy, this type of technique is mainly used as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for diseases such as cancer, with the added benefit of being largely non-invasive. Liquid biopsies may also be used to validate the efficiency of a cancer treatment drug by taking multiple samples in the span of a few weeks. The technology may also prove beneficial for patients after treatment to monitor relapse.[3]
The clinical implementation of liquid biopsies is not yet widespread but is becoming standard of care in some areas.[4]
Liquid biopsy refers to the molecular analysis in biological fluids of nucleic acids, subcellular structures, especially exosomes, and, in the context of cancer, circulating tumor cells.[5]
^Gingras, Isabelle; Salgado, Roberto; Ignatiadis, Michail (November 2015). "Liquid biopsy: will it be the 'magic tool' for monitoring response of solid tumors to anticancer therapies?". Current Opinion in Oncology. 27 (6): 560–567. doi:10.1097/CCO.0000000000000223. PMID26335664. S2CID13339984.