Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 27, 2026 2 hours, 4 minutes ago
Medical News: Understanding a Difficult Cancer Subtype
Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive and difficult forms of breast cancer. Unlike other types, it does not respond to common hormone-based treatments, making early and accurate diagnosis especially important. Researchers are increasingly exploring liquid biopsy, a blood-based test that looks for cancer signals in body fluids, as a possible way to improve detection and reduce dependence on invasive tissue biopsies. This
Medical News report examines a major new scoping review that evaluated how close science is to making this approach reliable for everyday clinical use.
A major review shows blood tests for aggressive breast cancer are promising but not yet ready for everyday diagnosis
Who Conducted the Research
The study was carried out by scientists from multiple institutions including Universidad de La Frontera in Temuco Chile, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Hospital Clínico Félix Bulnes in Santiago Chile, the Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas y Biotecnológicas at Universidad de Carabobo in Venezuela, and the Center for Cancer Prevention and Control in Santiago Chile. Their work brought together expertise in pathology, molecular biology, and cancer prevention.
What Is Liquid Biopsy and Why It Matters
Liquid biopsy involves testing blood or other body fluids for tiny fragments released by tumors. These fragments can include proteins, genetic material such as RNA or DNA, or chemical changes affecting genes. The advantage is clear. Blood tests are easier, safer, and more accessible than surgical biopsies, especially for women in remote areas or younger women who may not qualify for routine screening.
Key Findings from More Than Thirty Studies
The researchers reviewed 32 previous human studies involving over 1,500 patients with triple-negative breast cancer and more than 3,000 comparison participants. These studies tested three main categories of biomarkers. Protein-based markers were the most common but showed inconsistent results, with very few being confirmed by more than one study. RNA-based markers, especially small molecules known as microRNAs, showed stronger promise. One molecule called miR-21 appeared repeatedly and was often found at higher levels in patients with this cancer type. DNA-based markers, mostly related to gene methylation changes, showed reasonable accuracy in some studies but were tested in too few patients to be considered reliable.
Why These Results Are Not Ready for Clinics Yet
Despite encouraging signals, the review found major problems. Most studies were small, retrospective, and used different testing methods. Many lacked proper validation in independent patient groups. Some markers appeared useful in one population but failed in another. This lack of consistency means no single blood test can currently diagnose triple-negative breast cancer with confidence.
What This Means for Patients and Doctors
;
Liquid biopsy remains a promising tool, especially for early detection and improving access to diagnosis. However, it should still be viewed as a complement to existing imaging and tissue biopsy methods, not a replacement. The authors stress that larger, well-designed studies with standardized testing are urgently needed.
Conclusions
This extensive review makes it clear that while liquid biopsy research for triple-negative breast cancer is advancing, it is not yet mature enough for routine clinical use. Proteins, RNA, and DNA markers all offer potential, but none have shown consistent accuracy across multiple large studies. Future research must focus on larger patient groups, strict testing standards, and real-world validation to turn promising laboratory findings into dependable diagnostic tools that can truly benefit patients.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Diagnostics
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/16/2/360
For the latest on breast cancer, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/cancer
Share
Tweet
Share
