Heliyon (Oct 2024)
Advances and challenges in the use of liquid biopsy in gynaecological oncology
Abstract
Ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and cervical cancer are the three primary gynaecological cancers that pose a significant threat to women's health on a global scale. Enhancing global cancer survival rates necessitates advancements in illness detection and monitoring, with the goal of improving early diagnosis and prognostication of disease recurrence. Conventional methods for identifying and tracking malignancies rely primarily on imaging techniques and, when possible, protein biomarkers found in blood, many of which lack specificity. The process of collecting tumour samples necessitates intrusive treatments that are not suitable for specific purposes, such as screening, predicting, or evaluating the effectiveness of treatment, monitoring the presence of remaining illness, and promptly detecting relapse. Advancements in treatment are being made by the detection of genetic abnormalities in tumours, both inherited and acquired. Newly designed therapeutic approaches can specifically address some of these abnormalities. Liquid biopsy is an innovative technique for collecting samples that examine specific cancer components that are discharged into the bloodstream, such as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumour cells (CTCs), cell-free RNA (cfRNA), tumour-educated platelets (TEPs), and exosomes. Mounting data indicates that liquid biopsy has the potential to improve the clinical management of gynaecological cancers through enhanced early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, recurrence detection, and therapy response monitoring. Understanding the distinct genetic composition of tumours can also inform therapy choices and the identification of suitable targeted treatments. The main benefits of liquid biopsy are its non-invasive characteristics and practicality, enabling the collection of several samples and the continuous monitoring of tumour changes over time. This review aims to provide an overview of the data supporting the therapeutic usefulness of each component of liquid biopsy. Additionally, it will assess the benefits and existing constraints associated with the use of liquid biopsy in the management of gynaecological malignancies. In addition, we emphasise future prospects in light of the existing difficulties and investigate areas where further research is necessary to clarify its rising clinical capabilities.
