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Buccilli B, Rodriguez Molina MA, Redrovan Palomeque DP, Herrera Sabán CA, C Caliwag FM, Contreras Flores CJS, Abeysiriwardana CWJ, Diarte E, Arruarana VS, Calderon Martinez E. Liquid Biopsies for Monitoring Medulloblastoma: Circulating Tumor DNA as a Biomarker for Disease Progression and Treatment Response. Cureus 2024; 16:e51712. [PMID: 38313884 PMCID: PMC10838584 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors, including medulloblastoma (MB), represent a significant challenge in clinical oncology. Early diagnosis, accurate monitoring of therapeutic response, and the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) are crucial for improving outcomes in these patients. This review aims to explore recent advancements in liquid biopsy techniques for monitoring pediatric brain tumors, with a specific focus on medulloblastoma. The primary research question is how liquid biopsy techniques can be effectively utilized for these purposes. Liquid biopsies, particularly the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), are investigated as promising noninvasive tools. This comprehensive review examines the components of liquid biopsies, including ctDNA, cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and microRNA (miRNA). Their applications in diagnosis, prognosis, and MRD assessment are critically assessed. The review also discusses the role of liquid biopsies in categorizing medulloblastoma subgroups, risk stratification, and the identification of therapeutic targets. Liquid biopsies have shown promising applications in the pediatric brain tumor field, particularly in medulloblastoma. They offer noninvasive means of diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and detecting MRD. These biopsies have played a pivotal role in subgroup classification and risk stratification of medulloblastoma patients, aiding in the identification of therapeutic targets. However, challenges related to sensitivity and specificity are noted. In conclusion, this review highlights the growing importance of liquid biopsies, specifically ctDNA analysis in CSF, in pediatric brain tumor management, with a primary focus on medulloblastoma. Liquid biopsies have the potential to revolutionize patient care by enabling early diagnosis, accurate monitoring, and MRD detection. Nevertheless, further research is essential to validate their clinical utility fully. The evolving landscape of liquid biopsy applications underscores their promise in improving outcomes for pediatric brain tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Buccilli
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ITA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Cindy A Herrera Sabán
- Department of General Practice, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, San Carlos, GTM
| | - Fides M C Caliwag
- Department of General Practice, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Pasig City, PHL
| | | | | | - Edna Diarte
- Department of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, MEX
| | - Victor S Arruarana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, New York, USA
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