DNA strand in bloodstream representing liquid biopsy

Decoding Cancer: How Liquid Biopsies are Revolutionizing Personalized Treatment

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals how analyzing circulating tumor DNA can unlock tailored therapies, offering hope for diverse cancer patients."

The fight against cancer is constantly evolving, with researchers seeking more precise and less invasive methods to understand and treat this complex disease. One promising avenue is the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), fragments of DNA shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream. This approach, often called a "liquid biopsy," offers a way to peek into the genetic makeup of a tumor without the need for traditional, invasive tissue biopsies.

Traditional biopsies, while essential, have limitations. They can be painful, carry risks, and may not always capture the full picture of a tumor's genetic diversity. Tumors evolve over time and can vary in different locations within the body. Liquid biopsies offer a potential solution by providing a more comprehensive and dynamic view of the cancer's genetic landscape.

A recent study published in Cancer Research sheds light on the power of liquid biopsies to identify actionable genomic alterations in a diverse group of cancer patients. This research demonstrates how analyzing ctDNA can guide personalized treatment strategies, offering new hope for improved outcomes.

Unlocking the Potential: Key Findings from the ctDNA Study

DNA strand in bloodstream representing liquid biopsy

The study, led by researchers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and Guardant Health, analyzed ctDNA from 670 patients with various types of cancer. The goal was to identify genomic alterations that could be targeted with specific therapies. The results revealed several important insights:

Prevalence of Actionable Alterations: Approximately 63% of patients had at least one alteration detected in their ctDNA. Notably, 48% of all patients had alterations that could potentially be targeted with existing drugs, either on-label (approved for their specific cancer type) or off-label (approved for other cancers).

Frequent Mutations: The most frequently observed alterations were in the genes TP53 (32.5%), EGFR (13.0%), KRAS (12.5%), and PIK3CA (9.1%). These genes play critical roles in cell growth, survival, and response to therapy.
Cancer-Specific Profiles: The study also found variations in the types of alterations depending on the cancer type. For example, head and neck cancers showed a higher number of alterations compared to brain tumors.
Brain Tumor Insights: While brain tumors were less likely to show ctDNA alterations (32%), the detection of even a single alteration could be valuable for treatment planning.

The study underscores the feasibility and impact of using ctDNA analysis to guide cancer treatment decisions. By identifying actionable alterations, clinicians can select therapies that are more likely to be effective, potentially improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

The Future of Cancer Treatment: Personalized Approaches and Liquid Biopsies

The research underscores the potential of liquid biopsies to revolutionize cancer care. By offering a non-invasive and comprehensive view of a tumor's genetic makeup, ctDNA analysis can guide personalized treatment strategies, improve patient outcomes, and accelerate the development of new therapies. As technology advances and our understanding of cancer evolves, liquid biopsies are poised to play an increasingly vital role in the fight against this complex disease. The ability to serially monitor ctDNA also provides a powerful tool for tracking treatment response and detecting resistance early, allowing for timely adjustments to therapy.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is a liquid biopsy and how does it work?

A liquid biopsy is a method of analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which consists of DNA fragments that cancer cells release into the bloodstream. It's a non-invasive way to understand the genetic makeup of a tumor, offering a comprehensive and dynamic view of the cancer's genetic landscape. Unlike traditional biopsies, which can be painful and may not fully represent the tumor's diversity, liquid biopsies provide a broader picture of the cancer's genetic profile.

Why is analyzing circulating tumor DNA so important in cancer treatment?

Analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) through liquid biopsies is significant because it can identify actionable genomic alterations that can be targeted with specific therapies. The recent study showed that a large percentage of patients had alterations that could potentially be targeted with existing drugs, either on-label or off-label. This means that by understanding the specific genetic mutations driving a patient's cancer, clinicians can select therapies that are more likely to be effective, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Can you explain genomic profiling through liquid biopsies and what insights it provides?

Genomic profiling through liquid biopsies involves analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to identify genetic alterations in cancer cells. These alterations can include mutations in genes like TP53, EGFR, KRAS, and PIK3CA, which play critical roles in cell growth and survival. By identifying these specific alterations, clinicians can gain actionable insights into the cancer's behavior and select personalized therapies that target these specific mutations. This approach is transforming cancer treatment by providing a more precise and tailored approach to therapy.

Why are genes like TP53, EGFR, KRAS, and PIK3CA so important in the context of cancer?

The genes TP53, EGFR, KRAS, and PIK3CA are significant in cancer because they play critical roles in cell growth, survival, and response to therapy. Mutations in these genes are frequently observed in various types of cancer. For example, TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene, while EGFR, KRAS, and PIK3CA are involved in signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation and survival. Understanding the specific mutations in these genes can help clinicians select therapies that target these pathways, potentially improving treatment outcomes.

How can ctDNA analysis actually help personalize cancer treatment?

ctDNA analysis can guide personalized treatment strategies by identifying actionable genomic alterations in a patient's cancer cells. This allows clinicians to select therapies that are more likely to be effective based on the specific genetic mutations driving the cancer's growth. Additionally, ctDNA analysis can be used to monitor treatment response and detect resistance early, allowing for timely adjustments to therapy. This personalized approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and quality of life by tailoring treatment to the individual characteristics of their cancer.