Circulating Tumour DNA and Liquid Biopsy in Oncology

Dear Colleagues,

Cell-free DNAs are short genetic fragments released through cell death or secretion. They are found in whole blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and other body fluids that can be used in liquid biopsy. Cell-free-DNA-based liquid biopsy, due to its minimal invasiveness and repeatability, has been gradually used as an alternative post-treatment prognostic biomarker in cancer management.

Circulating tumour DNAs (ctDNA) carry genetic and epigenetic clues from parental tumour cells, providing information on mutation and methylation status; therefore, they are useful tools in early detection, the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD), and the real-time monitoring of acquired therapeutic resistance. Furthermore, cfDNA and ctDNA fragment sizes, end-point patterns, and characters (fragmentomics) enable the early detection, screening, and diagnosis of multiple cancer types. Advances in circulating tumour DNA and liquid biopsy in oncology can facilitate clinical implementation.

For this dedicated Special Issue, we invite the submission of research articles and review manuscripts on circulating tumour DNA. Emerging ctDNA detection and characterization strategies and studies on other liquid biopsy entities (circulating tumour cells, extracellular vesicles) are also welcome, provided that they share high-quality data. 

Dr. Yafeng Ma
Dr. Kevin Spring
Guest Editors

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