Uncovering cancer’s secrets: could liquid biopsies and artificial intelligence hold the answers?
Our partnered journal Future Oncology has recently published an Editorial article exploring the potential of artificial intelligence and liquid biopsies have in achieving early cancer detection for all.
Unlocking the potential of liquid biopsies
The use of tools such as CRISPR has proved immensely useful in uncovering vulnerabilities in the genetic makeup of tumors [1]. Projects such as the Cancer Dependency Map, the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, the Project Score database and the ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements have pushed forward our understanding to highlight links between genetic variations and disease predisposition, paving the way for earlier diagnosis [2–5].
An increased understanding of cancer genomics has accelerated the capabilities of noninvasive diagnostic tools – namely liquid biopsy tests. Liquid biopsies, particularly those that are methylation-based, have enabled researchers to detect multiple forms of cancer from simply taking a blood sample. One trial that has stood out in this arena is the PATHFINDER study, which has demonstrated the capabilities of liquid biopsies in the accurate detection of more than 50 cancer types [6].
