Liquid Biopsy as Surrogate for Tissue for Molecular Profiling in Pancreatic Cancer: A Meta-Analysis Towards Precision Medicine.

Abstract

Liquid biopsy (LB) is a non-invasive approach representing a promising tool for new precision medicine strategies for cancer treatment. However, a comprehensive analysis of its reliability for pancreatic cancer (PC) is lacking. To this aim, we performed the first meta-analysis on this topic. We calculated the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). A summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) and area under curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the overall accuracy. We finally assessed the concordance rate of all mutations detected by multi-genes panels. Fourteen eligible studies involving 369 patients were included. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.70 and 0.86, respectively. The LR+ was 3.85, the LR- was 0.34 and DOR was 15.84. The SROC curve with an AUC of 0.88 indicated a relatively high accuracy of LB for molecular characterization of PC. The concordance rate of all mutations detected by multi-genes panels was 31.9%. LB can serve as surrogate for tissue in the molecular profiling of PC, because of its relatively high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. It represents a unique opportunity to be further explored towards its introduction in clinical practice and for developing new precision medicine approaches against PC.

• Authors: Claudio Luchini, Nicola Veronese, Alessia Nottegar, Vera Cappelletti, Maria G Daidone, Lee Smith, Christopher Parris, Lodewijk A A Brosens, Maria G Caruso, Liang Cheng, Christopher L Wolfgang, Laura D Wood, Michele Milella, Roberto Salvia, Aldo Scarpa
• Journal: Cancers (Cancers (Basel)) Vol. 11 Issue 8 (Aug 10 2019) ISSN: 2072-6694 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 31405192 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)