Liquid biopsy in pediatric brain tumors
Tripathy A†, John V†, Wadden J, Kong S, Sharba S, Koschmann C.
Frontiers in Genetics, Jan 2023, Vol 13, Article 1114762. doi:10.3389/fgene.2022.1114762
In plain English
Brain tumors are the deadliest cancer in young children. This review explains how a simple fluid sample — spinal fluid or blood — can pick up tumor DNA, letting doctors diagnose and monitor these tumors without risky brain surgery.
For scientists
Malignant primary brain tumors are the most common cancer in children aged 0-14 years and the leading cause of cancer death in pediatric patients. This review covers minimally invasive liquid biopsy approaches — including circulating tumor DNA in CSF and plasma — as tools for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment guidance in pediatric brain tumors.