Circulating Tumor Cells and Circulating Tumor DNA in Urologic Cancers

Urol Clin North Am. 2023 Feb;50(1):109-114. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2022.09.010.

Abstract

Liquid biopsies such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have great potential to serve as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in urologic cancers. The possibility of using liquid biopsies for real-time noninvasive and dynamic monitoring of response to therapy has been an active area of investigation. In this brief review, we outline the evidence for the potential clinical utility of CTC and ctDNA analyses in prostate, urothelial, and renal cancers.

Keywords: Circulating tumor DNA; Circulating tumor cells; Genitourinary cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Circulating Tumor DNA* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Liquid Biopsy
  • Male
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating* / pathology
  • Urologic Neoplasms* / genetics

Substances

  • Circulating Tumor DNA
  • Biomarkers, Tumor