Liquid Biopsy in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Prostate cancer involves a considerable percentage of men worldwide and as be postulated; prostate cancer epidemiology is not restricted to a specific country. Despite tremendous efforts that have been made regarding prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, this issue remains challenging for urologists and oncologists by far. The routine method for the diagnosis of prostate cancer is a prostate biopsy, which may accompany by several complications that may be detrimental to patients’ health. Consequently, an alternative method with lower rates of complications is necessitating. For almost two decades liquid biopsy, an alternative method for cancer diagnosis with obvious benefits in comparison with previous methods of cancer diagnosis, has been at the center of interest of many studies, in particular, studies with prostate cancer subjects. The applicability of liquid biopsy which primarily includes cell-free DNA, circulating tumor cells, RNAs, and exosomes in prostate cancer is the main area of research of recent research. However, using liquid biopsy in routine clinical practices yet has not occurred and further studies with more firm evidence are warranted. Herein, we provided a brief report of advancements that have occurred in prostate cancer.

Keywords

• prostate cancer
• liquid biopsy
• cell-free dna
• cancer
• prostatespecific antigen