Expectations and Challenges for Cancer Screening Using Liquid Biopsy

Abstract

 Japanese society is currently faced with the need to radically change its traditional ways of thinking and values. The reasons are super-aging, declining birthrate, and depopulation. The impact on various aspects such as the economy, education, and medical care is being touted in the media. The same applies to the impact on the health of citizens, especially on the prevention and early detection of cancer, which is the leading cause of death in Japan. Advances in medicine have led to more effective cancer treatments. However, healthy diet, exercise and early detection remain crucial to reduce the risk of cancer; prevention and early detection are all the more important in Japanese society, where super-aging and depopulation are accelerating. Cancer screening is the cornerstone of early detection, and screening methods are required to be simple and safe. Expectations are growing for liquid biopsy and biomarker measurement, which examine body fluids such as blood and urine and lead to early detection of cancer. However, there are many challenges to be overcome. It is essential that these methods can earn the trust of the public. What kind of systems and rules are necessary to establish liquid biopsy and biomarker measurement that allow citizens to receive medical examinations safely? Introducing several studies in which I am participating, I will consider the challenges for realizing liquid biopsy and biomarker measurement as "cancer screening".