{
  "id": 9541711,
  "title": "What’s next for liquid biopsy in cancer diagnosis and treatment?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/whats-next-for-liquid-biopsy-in-cancer-diagnosis-and-treatment",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-24T10:49:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Cancer Research UK",
    "slug": "cancer-research-uk",
    "url": "https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2026/09/24/whats-next-for-liquid-biopsy-in-cancer-diagnosis-and-treatment/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The future of liquid biopsy in cancer diagnosis and treatment is promising, as this non-invasive method offers valuable insights into tumors and helps clinicians personalize treatment plans. Liquid biopsy tests already play a role in routine care for some patients with lung and breast cancer, helping to match them with the most effective therapies and reducing the time to treatment. In England, liquid biopsy testing has been approved for patients with unknown primary cancers, also known as cancer of unknown primary (CUP), allowing for quicker access to genomic testing and more personalized treatment options.\n\nAlthough only a small number of liquid biopsy tests have reached routine care so far, ongoing research in initiatives such as the Circulating Tumour Biomarker Network of Excellence in England and the QuicDNA Max programme in Wales, is exploring the potential of this technology in the UK health system. For patients who have exhausted standard treatment options, clinical trials could offer new hope, but finding the right trial for each person can be challenging. Liquid biopsy testing may provide a more accessible and real-time snapshot of a patient's tumor, making it faster and easier for doctors to match them with the best trial.\n\nIn cases where conventional diagnostic procedures are difficult, such as with liver, pancreas, and biliary system cancers, ctDNA testing could offer a quicker and less invasive alternative. This real-time information could help clinicians make informed treatment decisions sooner, improving outcomes. For patients with germ cell tumours, who may require years of follow-up with regular imaging, circulating miRNA liquid biopsy could replace these scans, reducing the burden of repeated procedures, anxiety, and radiation exposure.\n\nThe potential of liquid biopsy testing extends beyond diagnosis and treatment decisions. Researchers are investigating whether serial ctDNA testing during treatment could identify genetic changes that make a cancer resistant to therapy or detect signs of cancer returning before symptoms appear. This could enable earlier adjustments to treatment plans, potentially improving patient outcomes. While many applications of liquid biopsy testing remain in the research phase, the ongoing exploration of these innovative approaches holds great promise for transforming cancer care in the future.",
  "summary": "Liquid biopsies could improve how we detect, monitor and treat cancer. But more must be done to bring their benefits to patients sooner. The post What’s next for liquid biopsy in cancer diagnosis and treatment? appeared first on Cancer Research UK - Cancer News .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}