Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences
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Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci · May 2017
ReviewUsing circulating cell-free DNA to monitor personalized cancer therapy.
High-quality genomic analysis is critical for personalized pharmacotherapy in patients with cancer. Tumor-specific genomic alterations can be identified in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from patient blood samples and can complement biopsies for real-time molecular monitoring of treatment, detection of recurrence, and tracking resistance. cfDNA can be especially useful when tumor tissue is unavailable or insufficient for testing. For blood-based genomic profiling, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) have been successfully applied. ⋯ There is a potential for cost savings when ineffective use of expensive new anticancer drugs is avoided or halted. Challenges for routine implementation of liquid biopsy tests include the necessity of specialized personnel, instrumentation, and software, as well as further development of quality management (e.g. external quality control). Validation of blood-based tumor genomic profiling in additional multicenter outcome studies is necessary; however, cfDNA monitoring can provide clinically important actionable information for precision oncology approaches.
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Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci · May 2017
ReviewHigh-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays: From improved analytical performance to enhanced risk stratification.
Implementation of cardiac troponin (cTn) assays has revolutionized the diagnosis, risk stratification, triage and management of patients with suspected myocardial infarction (MI). The Universal Definition of MI brought about a shift in the diagnostics of MI, from an approach primarily based on electrocardiography (ECG) to one primarily based on biomarkers. Currently, detection of a rise and/or fall in concentration or activity of myocardial necrosis biomarkers, preferentially cTns, with at least one value above the 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL), is the essential component for the diagnosis of MI. ⋯ However, due to frequently occurring mild hs-cTn elevations, they are also associated with lower specificity and reduced positive predictive value when compared to previous generations of assays. Our review underscores the need for the education of clinicians and medical laboratory professionals regarding appropriate use and interpretation of hs-cTn assays. Adequate training and clinical experience in using these tests are essential to translate the improved analytical performance of hs-cTn assays into enhanced risk stratification and hopefully better patient outcomes.