Dr Yue Zhao speaks to ecancer about unlocking the potential of liquid biopsy applications in personalised care for older adults with cancer.

This is a review from SIOG (International Society of Geriatric Oncology) translational working group.

Liquid biopsy is minimally to non-invasive and offer an easily-accessible alternative for molecular profiling, especially when tumour tissue is not available, and usually analysing the circulating tumour cells,  circulating tumour DNA, tumour extracellular vesicles, etc., present in the body fluids of patients with cancer.

It is crucial for adults with cancer, especially those in older age. It aids in early detection, treatment monitoring, and response assessment.

Recent studies highlight its role in improving diagnosis accuracy and personalised treatment.

The review discusses integrating liquid biopsy with geriatric assessments, challenges with age-related mutations, and the importance of public awareness in cancer care.