Currently, there is a crucial need for novel diagnostic and prognostic
biomarkers with high specificity and sensitivity in patients with
colorectal cancer. A "liquid biopsy" is characterized by the isolation of
cancer-derived components, such as
circulating tumor cells,
circulating tumor DNA,
microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and
proteins, from peripheral blood or other body fluids and their genomic or proteomic assessment. The liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive and repeatable technique that could play a significant role in screening and diagnosis, and predict relapse and
metastasis, as well as monitoring
minimal residual disease and
chemotherapy resistance in
colorectal cancer patients. However, there are still some practical issues that need to be addressed before liquid biopsy can be widely used in clinical practice. Potential challenges may include low amounts of
circulating tumor cells and
circulating tumor DNA in samples, lack of pre-analytical and analytical consensus, clinical validation, and regulatory endorsement. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge of the role of liquid biopsy in the management of
colorectal cancer.