Since the discovery of circulating tumor cells in 1869, technological advances in studying circulating biomarkers from patients' blood have made the diagnosis of nonhematologic cancers less invasive. Technological advances in the detection and analysis of biomarkers provide new opportunities for the characterization of other disease types. When compared with traditional biopsies, liquid biopsy markers, such as exfoliated bladder cancer cells, circulating cell‐free DNA (cfDNA), and extracellular vesicles (EV), are considered more convenient than conventional biopsies. Liquid biopsy markers undoubtedly have the potential to influence disease management and treatment dynamics. Our main focuses of this review will be the cell‐based, gene‐based, and protein‐based key liquid biopsy markers (including EV and cfDNA) in disease detection, and discuss the research progress of these biomarkers used in conjunction with liquid biopsy. First, we highlighted the key technologies that have been broadly adopted used in hematological diseases. Second, we introduced the latest technological developments for the specific detection of cardiovascular disease, leukemia, and coronavirus disease. Finally, we concluded with perspectives on these research areas, focusing on the role of microfluidic technology and artificial intelligence in point‐of‐care medical applications. We believe that the noninvasive capabilities of these technologies have great potential in the development of diagnostics and can influence treatment options, thereby advancing precision disease management.
Components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), influence tumor progression. The specific polarization and phenotypic transition of TAMs in the tumor microenvironment lead to two‐pronged impacts that can promote or hinder cancer development and treatment. Here, a novel microfluidic multi‐faceted bladder tumor model (TAMPIEB) is developed incorporating TAMs and cancer cells to evaluate the impact of bacterial distribution on immunomodulation within the tumor microenvironment in vivo. It is demonstrated for the first time that biofilm‐induced inflammatory conditions within tumors promote the transition of macrophages from a pro‐inflammatory M1‐like to an anti‐inflammatory/pro‐tumor M2‐like state. Consequently, multiple roles and mechanisms by which biofilms promote cancer by inducing pro‐tumor phenotypic switch of TAMs are identified, including cancer hallmarks such as reducing susceptibility to apoptosis, enhancing cell viability, and promoting epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and metastasis. Furthermore, biofilms formed by extratumoral bacteria can shield tumors from immune attack by TAMs, which can be visualized through various imaging assays in situ. The study sheds light on the underlying mechanism of biofilm‐mediated inflammation on tumor progression and provides new insights into combined anti‐biofilm therapy and immunotherapy strategies in clinical trials.
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