Rapid liquid biopsy testing now available at William Osler Health System – Brampton, Ontario

August 2024

Liquid biopsy testing is an important tool in precision oncology that can be used to diagnose cancer and tailor cancer treatments to a patient’s tumour. William Osler Health System in Brampton, Ontario is now the first Canadian hospital to do in-house liquid biopsy testing for cancer care.

Precision oncology: the science of using a patient’s genetics to create a treatment plan targeted to the molecular characteristics of their cancer

During surgery, a tissue biopsy can be performed to take a sample of a tumour for molecular profiling. A liquid biopsy is a less invasive alternative that can have comparable results using only a blood sample. Molecular profiling is an important step in precision oncology that can be used to identify specific cancer biomarkers that are associated with response or lack of response to certain treatment approaches.

Molecular profiling: involves the use of various technologies to understand the underlying characteristics that are found in cancer cells. Biomarkers are molecules that show either normal or abnormal signs or processes in the body; abnormal signs could indicate disease.

Osler’s Division of Advanced Diagnostics led by pathologist Dr. Brandon Sheffield has established an unprecedented turnaround time for liquid biopsy, with patients’ able to get their results in as little as one day. This means that patients can shorten the time from diagnosis to treatment while ensuring that they are receiving the therapies that are most appropriate for their tumour type.

Keep up to date with the latest news relating to colorectal cancer. Learn more about our initiatives.

To read the full news report, click here: https://williamoslerhs.ca/en/news/osler-leads-the-way-as-first-in-canada-to-offer-life-changing-precision-cancer-care-technology.aspx