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Table 1 A semi-quantitative comparison of liquid biopsies that have been used for breast cancer biomarker discovery

From: Evaluation of nipple aspirate fluid as a diagnostic tool for early detection of breast cancer

Liquid biopsy

Volume

Accessibility

Discomfort

Reference sample*

Sample preparation

Biomarker concentration

Patient led collection

Convention

Plasma

++

+++

+++

X

++++

++

X

+++++

Urine

+++++

+++++

+

X

+++

+

++++

Saliva

+++

+++++

+

X

++

+

+++

Ductal lavage

+

+

++++

+

+++++

X

+

Random Periareolar Fine Needle Aspiration

+

+

+++++

++

+++++

X

+

Nipple Aspirate Fluid

+

+++(+)

++

+

+++++

++

+

Small

Invasive

No discomfort/no distress

 

Extensive processing required

Low

 

Infrequent use for biomarkers

+++++

Large

Easily available

Painful/stressful

 

Limited process required

High

 

Frequent use for biomarkers

  1. (+) Accessibility enhanced by oxytocin nasal spray
  2. *Comparison of healthy and disease sample pairs provides an internal reference