ctDNA as a liquid biopsy for real-time therapy prediction
Here is a short video that summarizes my liquid biopsy research project employing circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA for short) .
The goal of my project is to validate blood-based biomarkers in melanoma. When normal and cancer cells die they release their DNA into the bloodstream. In short, the cancer-derived DNA fraction – or ctDNA – provides a fast and reliable approach for response prediction. Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive alternative to tissue biopsies. Unlike invasive tissue biopsies, ctDNA analysis can be repeated and used in real-time. However, there is still a lot to do before it can enter the clinical routine. Certainly, ctDNA is a promising biomarker, and has the potential to transform the field of cancer diagnostics.
Thank you for watching!
Also, you can read the full story here.
Renata Varaljai
Essen University Hospital