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Liquid Biopsies

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Precision Molecular Pathology of Lung Cancer

Part of the book series: Molecular Pathology Library ((MPLB))

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Abstract

Appropriate selection of cancer therapy is more and more dependent on the correct identification of genomic mutations in cancer cells and matching them with available specific targeted therapies. While tissue testing remains the gold standard, small biopsy specimens and the ongoing question of tumor heterogeneity have led to an explosion of interest in using what has come to be called “liquid biopsies,” the capturing and sequencing of either circulating tumor cells or cell-free tumor DNA. These samples can be obtained with less discomfort for the patients, and often turnaround time can be faster as well. While many questions remain about the relation of blood-borne mutations compared with those found in tissue, these assays have already entered clinical use in many patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer. In this chapter, we will review the data on the use of CTCs and cell-free tumor DNA, the advantages and the potential downsides, and how these assays will hopefully allow more patients to benefit from the genomic revolution in advanced lung cancer as well as allow researchers to better monitor and understand the development of acquired resistance of those patients on targeted therapy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    Eric H. Bernicker MD

Authors
  1. Eric H. Bernicker MD
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Correspondence to Eric H. Bernicker MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology & Genomic Medici, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA

    Philip T. Cagle

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA

    Timothy Craig Allen

  3. Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA

    Mary Beth Beasley

  4. Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Lucian R. Chirieac

  5. Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Sanja Dacic

  6. Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA

    Alain C. Borczuk

  7. Department of Pathology, Aberdeen University Medical School, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

    Keith M. Kerr

  8. Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Lynette M. Sholl

  9. Medical Innovation, Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Ventana Medical Systems, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Bryce Portier

  10. Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA

    Eric H. Bernicker

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© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

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Bernicker, E.H. (2018). Liquid Biopsies. In: Cagle, P., et al. Precision Molecular Pathology of Lung Cancer. Molecular Pathology Library. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62941-4_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62941-4_21

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-62940-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-62941-4

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