Unveiling the Molecular Landscape through Next-Generation Liquid Biopsy

Dear Colleagues,

The paradigm shift towards precision oncology, fueled by molecular profiling, has fundamentally reshaped cancer treatment through tailored therapeutic approaches. However, traditional tissue biopsies, the cornerstone of cancer diagnosis, are often hampered by their invasiveness, limited accessibility, and inability to capture tumor heterogeneity. Liquid biopsy, the analysis of tumor-derived materials in biofluids, presents a compelling alternative, addressing these limitations and offering a minimally invasive and dynamic approach to cancer diagnosis and monitoring.

This Special Issue serves as a platform for exploring the cutting-edge frontiers of molecular research in liquid biopsy for precision oncology. We will delve into the diverse spectrum of analytes in liquid biopsies, encompassing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Furthermore, we will illuminate the latest advancements in molecular profiling techniques, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and digital PCR, enabling the sensitive detection and comprehensive characterization of genomic alterations, gene expression signatures, and epigenetic modifications within these analytes.

The Special Issue encompasses a comprehensive range of sub-topics, including the following:

• Technological innovations in liquid biopsy analysis: this section will explore novel methodologies and platforms for the sensitive and specific detection and characterization of molecular information from liquid biopsies.
• Liquid biopsy for early cancer detection and risk stratification: this section will address the potential of liquid biopsy in identifying individuals at high risk of developing cancer and facilitating early detection, paving the way for preventative interventions.
• Monitoring treatment response and predicting resistance: this section will delve into the role of liquid biopsy in the real-time monitoring of therapeutic response and early detection of resistance mechanisms, allowing for proactive treatment adjustments.
• Liquid biopsy for personalized treatment selection and targeted therapy development: this section will explore how liquid biopsy can inform personalized treatment decisions and guide the development of novel targeted therapies, maximizing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing adverse effects.
• Liquid biopsy in clinical trials and personalized medicine implementation: this section will discuss the integration of liquid biopsy into clinical trials and its implications for the successful implementation of personalized medicine in routine clinical practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

This Special Issue aspires to provide a comprehensive and insightful overview of the current state-of-the-art and future directions in the molecular research on liquid biopsy for precision oncology.

Dr. Valerio Gristina
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• liquid biopsy
• cfDNA
• NGS
• CGP
• ctDNA, EVs
• CTCs
• TEPs
• methylomics
• fragmentomics