The investigations that are conducted aim at the study of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA, circulating tumor DNA) to search for genetic mutations capable of conferring sensitivity or resistance to so-called "molecular target" drug therapies. Currently, the use of liquid biopsy for the purpose of predictive diagnosis for pharmacological treatment is indicated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) where there are difficulties in performing tissue biopsy which, while representing the traditional tool for monitoring the genetic evolution of the tumor, in some cases can be difficult to apply due to its invasiveness, or to the suboptimal clinical conditions of the patient or to the site of the tumor.
Compared to tissue biopsy, moreover, the study of circulating tumor DNA can better reflect the mutational load of the tumor and is more effective in identifying the emerging mutations in metastatic lesions in progression of the disease.
The activation of the liquid biopsy test at the UOC Laboratory of Medical Genetics of the A.O. San Camillo Forlanini makes it possible to further implement the company's multidisciplinary path for the patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
The recent scientific literature (Dasari et al., Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, Online ahead of print 06/07/2020) shows that this technological approach will soon represent a diagnostic tool of fundamental utility also in colon cancer.