liquid biopsy, an innovative technology for monitoring disease, could become more accessible in France

This technology is widely considered one of the major medical advances of recent years, to the point that some observers consider it worthy of a Nobel Prize.

A simple blood test

This involves monitoring the evolution of a cancer through a simple blood test and not a traditional biopsy, which involves much more extensive samples to be taken. It is the presence in the blood of abnormal DNA, produced by tumors, which is sought.

The interest is to draw up a very precise portrait of cancer at the molecular level, in order to offer targeted therapies. Still very hypothetical, this technology could also one day promote early detection.

For the moment, it is mainly used for monitoring certain lung cancers with a few thousand tests per year in France. But the partnership announced Wednesday also concerns other types of cancers in order to allow patients to participate in clinical trials.

Cheaper and less time-consuming

Across France, clinics and hospitals will send samples to teams at Gustave Roussy in Paris Saclay, who will analyze them using Roche tools. The two actors remained discreet about the financial nature of the partnership, Mr. Mezeray ensuring that it was a collaboration “of equals” rather than a “transaction”.

The project has been welcomed by specialists in the subject who see it as an opportunity to make liquid biopsies accessible to a greater number of patients.