Using a liquid biopsy measuring CTCs or ctDNA holds great promise for using personalized medicine to identify genetic mutations. This could lead to prescribing a personalized tumor therapy based on the tumor characteristics and heterogeneity that might not be fully represented with regular tissue biopsy. In addition, companion diagnostic liquid biopsies may be able to analyze the specific ctDNA for a mutation that has a currently available targeted treatment. Using liquid biopsy for serial ctDNA testing every six months may be able to further predict cancer recurrence and provide the potential for earlier, more targeted therapy adjustment before a decline in the patient’s functional status.
