Liquid Biopsy Research

A liquid biopsy is a simple, non-invasive alternative to surgical biopsies in which a body fluid specimen is obtained for detailed laboratory analyses. This highly topical field, based on improvements in analyte sensitivity is rapidly advancing the diagnoses and prognoses of nearly every type of disease and from nearly every organ system.  The importance of liquid biopsies is that this procedure enables doctors to discover a range of information about a patient’s health and treatment through a simple blood, urine, saliva, amniotic, or cerebrospinal fluid sample. Traces amounts of diagnostic DNAs, RNAs, cancerous cells, and small molecule biomarkers provide highly actionable information with regard to patient diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics.

Unlike traditional biopsies, liquid biopsies remove the need for invasive surgeries and procedures by instead allowing medical professionals to test for signs of disease or response to therapy from a simple draw of fluids. As a result, liquid biopsies are easier to perform and, in some cases, are more sensitive and specific than traditional tissue-based approaches giving hope to many that they will lead to earlier and more accurate patient diagnoses.

We are seeking high-quality original and review articles on the following topics related to liquid biopsy research:

Body fluid-related topics:

• Blood
• Urine
• Saliva
• Cerebrospinal fluid
• Amniotic fluid

Disease-related topics:

• Cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and staging
• Cancer susceptibility diagnostics
• Heart and vascular disease diagnostics and prognostics
• Infectious disease diagnoses
• Infectious disease susceptibility
• Body system diagnostics, prognostics, and staging (e.g., renal disease, hepatic disease, GI diseases, pulmonary disease, ocular disease, orthopedic disease, etc.)

Precision medicine and pharmacogenomics:

• Responsiveness to therapy
• Untoward side effects associated with specific therapies

Wellness topics:

• Prenatal care
• Microbiome composition

*Please indicate in the Cover Letter that your paper is for the Liquid Biopsy Focus Issue

Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers is the leading peer-reviewed journal covering all aspects of human genetic testing including molecular biomarkers. The Journal provides a forum for the development of new technology; the application of testing to decision making in an increasingly varied set of clinical situations; ethical, legal, social, and economic aspects of genetic testing; and issues concerning effective genetic counseling. This is the definitive resource for researchers, clinicians, and scientists who develop, perform, and interpret genetic tests and their results.

Advantages of publishing in the Journal include:

• Fast and user-friendly electronic submission
• Rapid, high-quality peer review
• Maximum exposure: accessible in 170 countries worldwide
• Open Access options available
• End-to-end Author Benefits Program