dPCR application in liquid biopsies: divide and conquer.

摘要: Introduction: Precision medicine is already a reality in oncology, since biomarker-driven therapies have clearly improved patient survival. Furthermore, new, minimally invasive strategy termed 'liquid biopsy' (LB) has revolutionized the field by allowing comprehensive cancer genomic profiling through analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). However, its detection requires extremely sensitive and efficient technologies. A powerful molecular tool based on principle 'divide conquer' emerged to solve this problem. Thus, digital PCR (dPCR) allows absolute accurate quantification target molecules.Areas covered: In review we will discuss fundamentals dPCR most common approaches used for partition samples quantification. The advantages limitations be mentioned context LB oncology.Expert opinion: our opinion, proven one methods available analysis, albeit some aspects such as capacity multiplexing protocol standardization still require further improvements. increasing sensitivities lower costs next generation sequencing (NGS) position confirmatory complementary technique NGS results which likely prove very useful treatment monitoring assessing minimal residual disease.