Breast cancer: better monitoring of the disease through blood tests

Long awaited, liquid biopsy is gradually becoming the standard procedure for monitoring breast cancer. A simple blood test could soon make it possible to detect treatment resistance and anticipate relapses.

This article is taken from issue 957 of the monthly Science and Future, dated November 2026.

Hailed as a minor revolution in oncology in the 2010s, liquid biopsy took years to deliver on its promises. It is now beginning to find its place in clinical practice. A simple blood test now allows for detailed monitoring of breast cancer progression and for tailoring patient care.

Whether it's to detect treatment resistance or signs of relapse, liquid biopsy is poised to be a game changer. Already used routinely for certain advanced cancers, this technique relies on the detection of circulating tumor biomarkers in the blood.