Clinical Report: Analysis of Liquid Biopsy Utilizing ctDNA and cfDNA in Bladder Cancer

Overview

This bibliometric review assesses the growth and coverage of literature on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in bladder cancer and urothelial carcinoma from 2008 to 2025. The findings reveal significant publication activity and uneven database coverage.

Background

Bladder cancer, primarily urothelial carcinoma, is a common malignancy requiring ongoing surveillance and management strategies. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as cystoscopy and urine cytology, have limitations, prompting interest in liquid biopsy techniques utilizing ctDNA and cfDNA. Understanding the landscape of research in this area is crucial for advancing diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• 1,903 records were found in WoSCC, with 494 deemed eligible after deduplication.
• The main set of records accumulated 17,031 citations, with a median of 19 citations per record.
• Annual publication output peaked at 82 records in 2025.
• Scopus indexed 456 of the 494 main-set records, while PubMed/MEDLINE indexed 93.
• Initial reviewer agreement for newly assessed records was 77.7% (Cohen’s kappa, 0.620).
• Thematic analysis indicates a shift from methylation markers to ctDNA-based evaluations.

Clinical Implications

The findings highlight the growing interest and research activity in ctDNA and cfDNA applications in bladder cancer. Clinicians should be aware of the evolving landscape of liquid biopsy technologies and their potential implications for patient management.

Conclusion

This review highlights the expanding body of literature on ctDNA and cfDNA in bladder cancer, revealing significant research activity.

Related Resources & Content

1. FDA, FDA, 2026 -- FDA approves atezolizumab for adjuvant treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer in patients with molecular residual disease
2. New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM, 2025 -- ctDNA-Guided Adjuvant Atezolizumab in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
3. Frontiers in Oncology, Frontiers in Oncology, 2026 -- Progress in the application of combined detection of urinary tumor DNA and exosomes in the classification, staging, and clinical management of bladder cancer: a review
4. Insights from the 2022 Stockholm Consultation on UTUC II: Emerging Diagnostic and Prognostic Approaches
5. the asco post — The Evolution of Liquid Biopsy in Cancer Care
6. Franklin / MDSpire — Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Clinical Utility Across GI Cancers, NSCLC, and Colorectal Cancer Treatment Guidance
7. The Evolution of Liquid Biopsy in Cancer Care
8. Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Clinical Utility Across GI Cancers, NSCLC, and Colorectal Cancer Treatment Guidance
9. FDA approves atezolizumab for adjuvant treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer in patients with molecular residual disease | FDA
10. ctDNA-Guided Adjuvant Atezolizumab in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer | New England Journal of Medicine
11. Diagnostic performance of urinary tumor DNA in urothelial carcinoma: A systematic review and network meta-analysis - ScienceDirect