Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology University of Washington Medical Center Seattle, Washington, United States
Description: As cancer diagnostics continue to evolve, non-blood-based cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing is emerging as a powerful tool in precision oncology. By expanding cfDNA collection beyond traditional blood samples—such as from urine, cerebrospinal fluid, or pleural effusions—clinicians and researchers can access tumor-specific genetic material in new ways, especially in cancers where blood-based liquid biopsies are limited. This session will highlight key advances in non-blood-based cfDNA testing, explore its applications across diverse cancer types, and evaluate its potential to complement or enhance current diagnostic workflows.
Learning Objectives: - Identify the biological sources and clinical contexts where non-blood-based cfDNA testing offers advantages. - Understand the technological and analytical considerations unique to non-blood cfDNA testing. - Review current research findings supporting the use of cfDNA from non-blood fluids.
