Adding Value to Liquid Biopsy for Brain Tumors: The Role of Imaging
Cancers
November 15, 2023
Summary
Clinical management in neuro-oncology has shifted to an integrated method that combines molecular profiles with histopathological and imaging data. Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive method that captures the molecular diversity of the whole tumor by detecting specific tumor biomarkers that circulate in body fluids like the cerebrospinal fluid. However, the limited presence and short half-life of tumor-derived biomarkers, especially in central nervous system (CNS) tumors, have restricted the use of liquid biopsy in clinical settings. Here, we review the diverse clinical applications of liquid biopsy in CNS tumors and discuss the added value of imaging in enhancing the release and detection of circulating tumor biomarkers.