J Liver Cancer.  2022 Sep;22(2):103-114. 10.17998/jlc.2022.09.08.

Liquid biopsy for early detection and therapeutic monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma

• Choi EJ
• Kim YJ

• KMID: 2534237
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2022.09.08

Abstract

Advances in our knowledge of the molecular characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have enabled significant progress in the detection and therapeutic prediction of HCC. As a non-invasive alternative to tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy examines circulating cellular components such as exosomes, nucleic acids, and cell-free DNA found in body fluids (e.g., urine, saliva, ascites, and pleural effusions) and provides information about tumor characteristics. Technical advances in liquid biopsy have led to the increasing adoption of diagnostic and monitoring applications for HCC. This review summarizes the various analytes, ongoing clinical trials, and case studies of United States Food and Drug Administrationapproved in vitro diagnostic applications for liquid biopsy, and provides insight into its implementation in managing HCC.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liquid biopsy; Cell-free nucleic acids; Early diagnosis; Therapeutic drug monitoring

Figure

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  Figure 1. The modalities of liquid biopsy and main technologies.

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  Figure 2. Application of liquid biopsy in cancer management.

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