Companion diagnostics and liquid biopsy

The chapter describes potential POCT applications for companion diagnostics and liquid biopsy. Companion diagnostics are in-vitro methods, which provide information about the suitability and effectiveness of a particular therapeutic drug for a patient prior to its administration. It therefore allows stratification of patient populations. The term “liquid biopsy” or “liquid profiling” describes the analysis of tumor cells or free nucleic acids in blood and other body fluids, i.e. the urine of oncology patients. POCT shortens the time and spatial distance between diagnostics and therapy induction. In the future, near-patient companion diagnostics could gain importance, most importantly for calculating therapeutic dose adjustments. POCT could moreover help make personalized healthcare more accessible to patients in isolated regions.