Liquid Biopsy: A Modern Method Transforming Biomedicine

Dear Colleagues,

Advancements in the understanding of circulating molecular and cellular components across various human bodily fluids have paved the way for liquid biopsy (LB) to emerge as a transformative tool in biomedical research. Whether liquid or solid, the fundamental purpose of a biopsy remains the same: to guide clinical intervention. As a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgical tissue removal, LB serves as a dynamic and real-time surrogate, reflecting the physiological and pathological status of its tissue of origin. Moreover, there is now, in fact, strong concordance between molecular alterations detected in liquid biopsies and their corresponding tissue biopsies.

Defined by its ability to provide a readily accessible snapshot of parental cells or tissues, LB encompasses a wide range of analytes, including circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA and RNA, extracellular vesicles, proteins, and metabolites. All of these molecules can be isolated from diverse bodily fluids, including blood, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, and more. By offering a minimally invasive approach, liquid biopsy enables the investigation of key pathological processes such as disease onset, progression, treatment response, and resistance through simple and accessible tests. This capability aligns seamlessly with the rise of personalized medicine, where -omics studies are leveraged to identify novel diagnostic markers, elucidate disease mechanisms, and uncover therapeutic targets, further enhancing its clinical potential.

As part of this Topic, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving field of liquid biopsy in biomedicine, highlighting cutting-edge research and clinical applications. Special emphasis will be placed on a broad spectrum of omics studies, including but not limited to proteogenomics, lipidomics, fluxomics, data analysis, bioinformatics, single-cell omics, and post-translational modification (PTM) characterization. Additionally, we welcome contributions focusing on the development of novel strategies for the isolation and characterization of biomolecules from LB, in addition to advancements in data analysis and computational methodologies. These insights will help expand knowledge and engage a broader scientific audience.

A key focus will be identifying the challenges associated with integrating LB into clinical trials and routine practice, ensuring a multidimensional perspective. Overcoming these barriers is crucial to establishing LB as a standard diagnostic tool, ultimately making precision medicine a tangible reality for patients worldwide.

Dr. Michele Costanzo
Dr. Marianna Caterino
Topic Editors