Recommendations for the Equitable and Widespread Implementation of Liquid Biopsy for Cancer Care

Abstract

Liquid biopsies-tests that detect circulating tumor cellular components in the bloodstream-have the potential to transform cancer by reducing health inequities in screening, diagnostics, and monitoring. Today, liquid biopsies are being used to guide treatment choices for patients and monitor for cancer recurrence, and promising work in multi-cancer early detection is ongoing. However, without awareness of the barriers to adoption of this new technology and a willingness to build mitigation efforts into the implementation of widespread liquid biopsy testing, the communities that could most benefit may be the last to access and use them. In this work, we review the challenges likely to affect the accessibility of liquid biopsies in both the general population and underserved populations, and recommend specific actions to facilitate equitable access for all patients.

FIG 1.

Pathways to liquid biopsy implementation and predicted impacts on health outcomes and disparities.

FIG 2.

Use cases for liquid biopsy assays across the cancer patient journey. CLIA, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments; CRC, colorectal cancer; ctDNA, circulating tumor DNA; FDA, US Food and Drug Administration.