Using genomic tools for detection and monitoring of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in patient blood samples to enable cancer detection, surveillance and recurrence screening

The Cancer Liquid Biopsy project – led by the University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research – focuses on the detection and monitoring of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in patient blood samples with genomic tools, providing the ability for early cancer detection, surveillance and timely detection of recurrence, as well as early detection of developing drug resistance.

Traditional screening approaches vary in their cost, invasiveness and effectiveness. To be effective, they involve over-monitoring of low-risk patients and under-examining of at-risk individuals in our population.

Within the first year, this project aims to implement automated ctDNA isolation, rapid sequencing and bioinformatics analysis pipeline. It will also establish parameters for liquid biopsy sample collection and testing from hospitals outside of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance.