Ovarian cancer (OC) remains a lethal gynecological malignancy with challenges in early diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and overcoming drug resistance. Liquid biopsy, a noninvasive approach analyzing tumor‐derived components in bodily fluids, has emerged as a promising tool in OC management. This review summarizes advances in liquid biopsy technologies, focusing on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). ctDNA enables minimally invasive assessment for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment guidance (e.g., BRCA1/2‐targeted therapy), minimal residual disease (MRD) detection, and monitoring of tumor evolution. CTCs, particularly clusters, provide insights into metastasis and therapeutic response. Emerging modalities such as tumor‐educated platelets (TEPs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and exosomes and protease activity‐based liquid biopsy also show diagnostic and prognostic potential. Despite technical challenges like standardization and sensitivity, liquid biopsy holds significant promise for personalized OC care, with ongoing efforts to translate these technologies into clinical practice.
Jingxia Zhang, Weiyan Shan, Jie Yu et al.· Cancer Medicine· 0 citations
In renal cell carcinoma (RCC), alterations in cellular metabolism are a defining feature, among which impaired mitochondrial function stands out as a key factor influencing both tumor aggressiveness and patient responses to therapy. The aim of this review is to systematically synthesize current knowledge on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in RCC pathogenesis and to explore emerging therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial vulnerabilities. This comprehensive analysis examines the integrated dysregulation of core mitochondrial processes—bioenergetic metabolism, organelle dynamics, programmed cell death pathways, redox homeostasis, and selective autophagy—in driving RCC pathogenesis. Our synthesis reveals how genetic drivers, molecular regulators, and microenvironmental cues converge to remodel mitochondrial function, creating both adaptive advantages and therapeutic vulnerabilities. A paradoxical duality emerges in mitochondrial biology: processes such as fission, mitophagy, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation can simultaneously support tumor adaptation while rendering cells susceptible to targeted interventions. We evaluate emerging therapeutic approaches directed at mitochondrial vulnerabilities, including metabolic inhibitors, nanoscale delivery systems, and phytochemical agents, while addressing current limitations in specificity and resistance mechanisms. Based on current preclinical evidence, this integrated perspective establishes mitochondrial dysfunction as a central determinant of RCC malignancy and suggests potential combinatorial strategies for precision oncology approaches that warrant further investigation.
