Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Limitations and opportunities of technologies for the analysis of cell-free DNA in cancer diagnostics

Ping Song, Lucia R. Wu, Yan Helen Yan, Jinny Xuemeng Zhang, Tianqing Chu, Lawrence N. Kwong, Abhijit A. Patel, David Y. Zhang

Nature Biomedical Engineering · 2022

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Summary

This 2022 Nature Biomedical Engineering review examines the analytical landscape of cell-free DNA technologies for cancer detection and diagnosis. The authors synthesise understanding of current technological capabilities and constraints that limit routine clinical adoption, whilst identifying emerging opportunities to enhance diagnostic performance. The paper addresses the gap between the theoretical promise of cfDNA-based approaches and practical limitations in oncological practice.

Regional applicability

UK oncology services and diagnostics laboratories would benefit from awareness of cfDNA technology maturity and implementation barriers outlined here, informing adoption decisions and research investment priorities. The findings are relevant to NHS stratified medicine initiatives and clinical laboratory standard-setting.

Key measures

Analytical sensitivities and specificities of cfDNA detection methods; clinical limitations and technical constraints; diagnostic performance metrics as suggested by review scope

Outcomes reported

The paper synthesises current understanding of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analytical capabilities, technological barriers to clinical adoption, and emerging opportunities to improve diagnostic performance in oncology.

Theme
Measurement & metrics
Subject
Out of scope / non-food
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United States
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1038/s41551-021-00837-3
Catalogue ID
SNmoj1yuue-fcwkir

Topic tags

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