Group kicks off discussions on liquid biopsy

In its last meeting, the Working Group on Diagnostics decided to establish a subgroup to explore the topic of liquid biopsy in detail. This group convened for the first time in August and discussed how to proceed and what subjects to examine in its future meetings. It decided to initially focus on liquid biopsies of circulating tumour cells and circulating tumour DNA. The group’s members will start by compiling information (figures, data, facts) and then take up guidelines for consistent quality standards in liquid biopsy diagnostics. Later steps will include exchange with relevant stakeholders, such as laboratory physicians, pathologists and human geneticists. The experts in the liquid biopsy group believe the use of liquid biopsy holds great potential for safer and more precise diagnostics – which in many cases could help improve patient care. Diagnostic services that include liquid biopsies have so far been excluded from reimbursement in the uniform assessment standard (Einheitlicher Bewertungsmaßstab, EMB).