Liquid biopsies, ctDNA, and the diagnosis and management of cancers

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of Pathologists (CAP) have just issued a joint review of available information on clinical use of “liquid biopsies” to assess circulating levels of tumor DNA (ctDNA). … READ MORE …

Of CTCs, EMT, PSA, and megakaryocytes … Huh?

A newly published study in Clinical Cancer Research has implied the potential development of a completely new and much more accurate way to be able to identify risk for metastatic prostate cancer. … READ MORE …

A better way to identify risk for metastasis?

According to a news report on the ScienceDaily web site, researchers in the UK have identified a subgroup of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patient’s blood that seem to be linked to risk for progression and spread of prostate cancer. … READ MORE …

A new method to use CTCs to diagnose/assess risk for prostate cancer?

In another breaking story from the UK, a company called Angle PLC has announced that its Parsortix diagnostic system can potentially be used to identify men with prostate cancer using a simple blood sample and testing for the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). … READ MORE …

Of liquid biopsies, CTCs, and first-line treatment for mCRPC

A paper to be presented at the Genitourinary Cancers Synposium today, suggests that use of a liquid biopsy and analysis of single circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may be helpful in determining therapy for men with metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). … READ MORE …

Liquid biopsies and CTC assays — the scientific progress continues

A paper in the British Journal of Cancer has offered further validation of the potential roles for liquid biopsies and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the management of aggressive forms of prostate cancer (and in related clinical trials). … READ MORE …

Use of CTCs to assess response to abiraterone acetate at 12 weeks on therapy

Back in 2011 we reported a presentation by Scher et al. indicating that circulating tumor cell counts (CTCs) could probably be used to monitor responses to abiraterone acetate (and perhaps other forms of drug therapy) in the treatment of men with metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer. … READ MORE …

Is free, circulating DNA a useful marker for prostate cancer?

Elevated levels of free, circulating DNA (fcDNA) have previously been been found in the serum of prostate cancer patients compared with the levels in the serum of patients with benign prostate conditions. … READ MORE …