Lecturer Prof. Nitzan Rosenfeld

Contact tamar.cohen@weizmann.ac.il

Abstract Cancer is driven by genomic alterations, and can evolve in response to selective pressures. Sampling of tumour material however is a limiting factor for both diagnostics and research. Blood plasma contains cell-free fragments of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) that can be collected non-invasively. With advanced genomic techniques this becomes an effective source of information. “Liquid biopsy” assays are now entering clinical use for non-invasive molecular profiling of advanced cancers to guide targeted therapy. Serially-collection plasma samples can be used to track response to treatment, cancer progression and emergence of known or new resistance mechanisms. Methods that can detect minute amounts of ctDNA are being used to study early-stage cancer and for detection of minimal residual disease after initial definitive treatment.

Details Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute University of Cambridge, UK