Liquid biopsy in cancer using the Z-scan technique: a new approach to discover biomarkers in cancer.

Aim: Biomarkers have been broadly studied as a tool for the diagnosis and prognosis for different types of cancer. Z-scan is a kind of measurement technique that generates a nonlinear refractive index (n ₂ ). Today, Z-scan has been used in oncology to discriminate between solid tumors and to identify tumor circulating cell-free DNA in liquid samples.
Materials & Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria defined in this review, 35 articles were selected.
Conclusion: The use of this technique for this kind of measurement will allow for a rapid and precise diagnosis of different types of tumor and may lead to better therapeutic approaches.
Competing Interests: Financial & competing interests disclosure The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
(© 2020 Fernando Luiz Affonso Fonseca.)