The role of circulating tumor DNA in diagnosis and optimization of treatment of localized and local pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant highly aggressive tumor that arises and grows under conditions of inflammation and tissue hypoxia. In PC, one of the key processes in progression is epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which leads to early dissemination and rapid realization of metastatic disease, which accounts for low overall survival rates. The tumor, by releasing a wide range of different molecules (circulating DNA, exosomes, proteins and lipids), allows to identify and use them as potential, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.This review introduces readers to the liquid biopsy technique. The main applications of the technique in patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas are shown. Liquid biopsy is a modern diagnostic method of molecular oncology, the principle of which is to detect circulating tumor cells, DNA, exosomes in biological fluids. Publications evaluating the potential of the method to assess minimal residual disease, evaluate tumor response to systemic therapy, and determine prognosis are discussed. Liquid biopsy is particularly relevant in cases of malignant tumors of difficult localization, in particular, PC. Modern methods of morphological verification of pancreatic tumors (fine needle biopsy under endosonographic control and percutaneous biopsy) have essential disadvantages: low information value, multiple repeated interventions, postmanipulative complications (pancreatitis, bleeding, etc.). Taking into consideration obvious advantages and perspectives of this method over traditional methods of morphological verification, liquid biopsy seems to be a promising diagnostic tool in personalized oncology for pancreatic cancer.