Liquid Biopsy in Genitourinary Cancers: From Biomarkers Discovery to Clinical Applications

Genitourinary (GU) cancers, including prostate, bladder, renal and testicular malignancies, represent a heterogeneous group of diseases with varying clinical behaviors and therapeutic outcomes. The management of these tumors is often challenged by tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution and the difficulty of obtaining repeated tissue samples for molecular profiling. Traditional tissue biopsies are invasive, may not capture the full genomic landscape of the disease and are often impractical for serial monitoring. In this context, liquid biopsy has emerged as a transformative, minimally invasive tool that analyzes tumor-derived materials—such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and extracellular vesicles—from body fluids. This approach offers a real-time snapshot of the tumor's genetic and epigenetic makeup, holding immense potential to revolutionize the clinical management of GU cancers.The primary goal of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive, state-of-the-art overview of the latest advances and clinical applications of liquid biopsy in the field of genitourinary oncology. We aim to assemble a collection of high-quality articles that bridge the gap between biomarker discovery and practical implementation in daily clinical practice. This includes exploring the utility of liquid biopsies for early cancer detection, risk stratification, minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment and real-time monitoring of treatment response in patients with GU cancers. A key focus will be on the role of ctDNA analysis in identifying mechanisms of resistance to both conventional and novel therapies, such as targeted agents and immunotherapies, thereby informing therapeutic decision-making. Furthermore, we seek to highlight novel technological platforms and bioinformatics approaches that enhance the sensitivity and specificity of liquid biopsy assays. By bringing together leading experts, we hope to foster discussion on standardizing pre-analytical variables and analytical validation, which are critical steps for translating these powerful tools into robust clinical tests. Ultimately, this collection aims to accelerate the integration of liquid biopsy into clinical workflows, moving towards a more personalized and dynamic approach for managing prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancers.This Research Topic welcomes the submission of Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and any other suitable articles focused on all aspects of liquid biopsy in genitourinary cancers. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:• The role of ctDNA, CTCs, and exosomes in prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancer.• Novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis.• Liquid biopsy for monitoring treatment efficacy and resistance in real-time.• Technological advancements in liquid biopsy detection and analysis.• Multi-omics approaches integrating liquid biopsy data.• Clinical trials incorporating liquid biopsy as a translational endpoint.• Challenges and opportunities in standardizing liquid biopsy protocols for clinical use. Topic editors: Biagio Barone, Daniela Terracciano, Octavian Sabin Tataru Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78582/liquid-biopsy-in-genitourinary-cancers-from-biomarkers-discovery-to-clinical-applications