Diagnostic and Prognostic Values of Liquid Biopsy in Esophageal Cancer

LING Yuanyuan^1,2,3#, YU Wenjun^2#, QIAO Yongxia^1,4*

（¹School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China; ²Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; ³Institute of Thoracic Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; ⁴Clinical Research Center, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China)

Abstract:

Esophageal cancer is a malignancy with high mortality and poor prognosis worldwide due to its rapid progression and lack of effective prognostic biomarkers for early detection. As a new non-invasive detection method, liquid biopsy can realize continuous monitoring during the progression of esophageal cancer, and has gradually attracted clinical attention. Liquid biopsy assesses the presence, characteristics, and prognosis of tumors by obtaining tumor-related biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells and exosomes from body fluids. Prompt and effective prognostic assessment of patients with esophageal cancer is beneficial in improving their clinical outcomes. Therefore, this paper will elaborate on the recent researches and clinical application of liquid biopsy in the diagnosis and prognosis of esophageal cancer, and point out the current challenges and future development, hoping to provide a basis for early diagnosis, continuous monitoring of therapeutic efficacy, prognosis evaluation, and development of individualized precision treatment decisions of esophageal cancer.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2023.12.0014