About this Research Topic
Liquid biopsy has been introduced as a new diagnostic concept predicated on the analysis of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) or circulating tumour-derived factors, in particular, cell-free tumour DNA (ctDNA). During the last decade, the liquid biopsy has received enormous attention as the subject of basic research and a new tool for medicine precision in cancer patients. High technologies have been developed to isolate, detect and characterize circulating biomarkers. Understanding the biology and clinical relevance of these biomarkers in types of cancer and at different stages is of utmost importance.
This Research Topic aims to showcase studies investigating and understanding the biology of the metastatic cascade in cancer patients with central focus on liquid biopsy approaches involving different circulating biomarkers falling under (i) technological challenges, (ii) biological aspects and (iii) clinical relevance in cancer patients.
Original Research articles on the following topics are particularly welcome:
• Circulating tumor cells
• Circulating cell-free tumor DNA
• Extracellular vesicles (e.g. exosomes)
• Circulating cell-free microRNA and long ncRNAs
• Tumor-educated platelets
This Research Topic aims to showcase studies investigating and understanding the biology of the metastatic cascade in cancer patients with central focus on liquid biopsy approaches involving different circulating biomarkers falling under (i) technological challenges, (ii) biological aspects and (iii) clinical relevance in cancer patients.
Original Research articles on the following topics are particularly welcome:
• Circulating tumor cells
• Circulating cell-free tumor DNA
• Extracellular vesicles (e.g. exosomes)
• Circulating cell-free microRNA and long ncRNAs
• Tumor-educated platelets
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
