Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDJCO precision oncology
Genomic Analysis Using Liquid Biopsy: Considerations for Pretest Counseling in UK Practice.
14 affiliations
- 1Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
- 2Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
- 3Manchester Cancer Genomic Medicine, North West Genomic Laboratory Hub, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.
- 4School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
- 5NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom.
- 6The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom.
- 7Clinical Genetics, 7(th) Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
- 8South West Thames Regional Genomics Service, London, United Kingdom.
- 9The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.
- 10Department of Pathology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- 11Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Personalised Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
- 12Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
- 13Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
- 14Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Modern cancer diagnostics is heavily reliant on molecular data. Next-generation sequencing using liquid biopsy (LB) is primarily focused on identifying predictive and prognostic biomarkers to guide systemic therapy decision making. However, additional findings including genomic variants of possible or probable germline origin are detected in a significant minority of patients (3%-18%), with significant implications for patients and their families. Pretest information provision regarding both the purpose and potential benefits of the test and additional findings on LB varies in clinical practice, with little guidance for clinicians regarding the degree of detail required regarding possible additional findings. LB requires explicit disclosure of these aspects. Implementing a standardized, context-dependent approach to this discussion, with nationally standardized information provision tools, should be prioritized to enable patient-centered decision making regarding LB, without prioritizing the incidentalome over the primary purpose of the test-refining and optimizing treatment options.
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BibTeX
@article{mcmahon2026genomic,
title = {{Genomic Analysis Using Liquid Biopsy: Considerations for Pretest Counseling in UK Practice.}},
author = {David John McMahon and Elizabeth Bancroft and George J Burghel and Ellen Copson and Michael Hubank and Jennifer Wiggins and Katie Snape and Natalie Cook and Ian Frayling and Matthew J Murray and Alastair Greystoke and Matthew G Krebs and Sanjay Popat and Terri Patricia McVeigh and UK Circulating Biomarkers Network of Excellence and the National ctDNA Steering Committee},
journal = {JCO precision oncology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1200/po-26-00366},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42842845},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Genomic Analysis Using Liquid Biopsy: Considerations for Pretest Counseling in UK Practice.
AU - David John McMahon
AU - Elizabeth Bancroft
AU - George J Burghel
AU - Ellen Copson
AU - Michael Hubank
AU - Jennifer Wiggins
AU - Katie Snape
AU - Natalie Cook
AU - Ian Frayling
AU - Matthew J Murray
AU - Alastair Greystoke
AU - Matthew G Krebs
AU - Sanjay Popat
AU - Terri Patricia McVeigh
AU - UK Circulating Biomarkers Network of Excellence and the National ctDNA Steering Committee
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - JCO precision oncology
DO - 10.1200/po-26-00366
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42842845
AB - Modern cancer diagnostics is heavily reliant on molecular data. Next-generation sequencing using liquid biopsy (LB) is primarily focused on identifying predictive and prognostic biomarkers to guide systemic therapy decision making. However, additional findings including genomic variants of possible or probable germline origin are detected in a significant minority of patients (3%-18%), with significant implications for patients and their families. Pretest information provision regarding both the purpose and potential benefits of the test and additional findings on LB varies in clinical practice, with little guidance for clinicians regarding the degree of detail required regarding possible additional findings. LB requires explicit disclosure of these aspects. Implementing a standardized, context-dependent approach to this discussion, with nationally standardized information provision tools, should be prioritized to enable patient-centered decision making regarding LB, without prioritizing the incidentalome over the primary purpose of the test-refining and optimizing treatment options.
SN - 2473-4284
ER -