World J Gastroenterol. Mar 28, 2024; 30(12): 1680-1705 Published online Mar 28, 2024. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i12.1680
Liquid biopsy for gastric cancer: Techniques, applications, and future directions
Cristina Díaz del Arco, M Jesús Fernández Aceñero, Luis Ortega Medina
Cristina Díaz del Arco, M Jesús Fernández Aceñero, Luis Ortega Medina, Department of Surgical Pathology, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid 28040, Spain
Cristina Díaz del Arco, M Jesús Fernández Aceñero, Luis Ortega Medina, Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain
Author contributions: Díaz del Arco C participated in the data acquisition, interpretation, manuscript draft, approval, and agreement; Fernández Aceñero MJ participated in the study design, data acquisition, manuscript revision, approval, and agreement; and Ortega Medina L participated in the study design, data acquisition, manuscript revision, approval, and agreement.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Authors declare no conflict of interests for this article.
Corresponding author: Cristina Díaz del Arco, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Staff Physician, Department of Surgical Pathology, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, c/Profesor Martín Lagos s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain. crisdelarco@gmail.com
Received: December 4, 2023 Peer-review started: December 4, 2023 First decision: January 23, 2024 Revised: February 1, 2024 Accepted: March 8, 2024 Article in press: March 8, 2024 Published online: March 28, 2024 Processing time: 114 Days and 16.6 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Liquid biopsy (LB) has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnostics, offering reduced invasiveness and improved understanding of tumor heterogeneity. Going beyond examining circulating tumor cells and cell-free DNA in blood, LB studies now explore a variety of structures and non-blood samples. Despite advancements in LB for tumor detection, prognostic assessment and treatment guidance, challenges remain, including complex and expensive techniques, lack of standardization, and suboptimal scientific evidence. In the context of gastric cancer, LB represents a promising approach, especially in advanced stages. This review navigates through LB intricacies, emphasizing its benefits while urging for future improvements to achieve clinical impact.
