Hong Kong has one of the highest liver cancer incidence rates globally, largely due to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, alcohol consumption, and fatty liver disease. However, early-stage liver cancer often presents no obvious symptoms, leading to late diagnoses when treatment options become more limited. This makes a highly sensitive and convenient early detection method crucial.

RGCC Personalized Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Testing: Overcoming Traditional Screening Limitations

Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) testing is a blood-based “liquid biopsy” that detects tumor cells in circulation, helping identify cancer risks earlier. Compared to traditional imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI, CTC testing can detect abnormal cells before a tumor becomes visible, offering a more personalized monitoring approach for high-risk individuals in Hong Kong.

How Can CTC Testing Benefit Liver Cancer Patients?

1. Early Screening for High-Risk Individuals

• CTC testing enables early monitoring for individuals with chronic HBV, fatty liver disease, or a family history of liver cancer, detecting circulating tumor cells before a tumor develops.
• Unlike imaging tests that detect established tumors, CTC testing can reveal cancerous activity at a much earlier stage, allowing for timely intervention.

2. Monitoring Cancer Cell Changes to Guide Personalized Care

• CTC testing can track both the quantity and genetic characteristics of circulating tumor cells, providing insights into cancer progression.
• For patients who have undergone liver cancer treatment, CTC testing serves as a dynamic monitoring tool to assess recurrence risks.

3. Supporting Personalized Care Plans for Improved Outcomes

• By integrating CTC testing with RGCC’s genetic profiling, such as Onco-D-clare, it becomes possible to determine tumor cell sensitivity to specific treatment strategies, optimizing personalized care.
• For patients currently undergoing treatment, CTC testing helps evaluate their response to care and allows for timely adjustments to enhance effectiveness.

Conclusion: CTC Testing Offers a More Precise Early Screening Solution for High-Risk Individuals in Hong Kong

With liver cancer being highly prevalent in Hong Kong, CTC testing presents a promising solution for early screening and dynamic monitoring. By identifying at-risk individuals before tumors develop and providing crucial data for personalized care, CTC testing is expected to play an increasingly important role in liver cancer prevention and management.

References

1. Alix-Panabières, C., & Pantel, K. (2014). Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA as liquid biopsy. Cancer Discovery, 4(6), 479-491.
2. Wang, J., Wang, K., Xu, J., et al. (2020). Circulating tumor cells as an independent prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis. Hepatology Research, 50(7), 785-798.
3. Cree, I. A., Uttley, L., Buckley Woods, H., et al. (2017). The evidence base for circulating tumour DNA blood-based biomarkers for the early detection of cancer: A systematic mapping review. BMC Cancer, 17, 697.

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