On May 21 and 22, 2026, Pompeii hosted the international workshop of the International Society of Liquid Biopsy (ISLB), bringing together over 150 experts from around the world. Dedicated to recent advances in liquid biopsy within oncology, this event highlighted the scientific and organizational challenges associated with its integration into clinical practice. The RespirERA Institute, represented by Pr Paul Hofman, contributed to the discussions on implementing these technologies within care pathways.
An international gathering at the heart of liquid biopsy
Organized in the historic setting of Pompeii, the 2026 ISLB workshop established itself as a major event for the international scientific community dedicated to liquid biopsy. More than 150 participants from Europe, North America, and Asia exchanged views on the latest advances in the field, confirming the growing interest in these non-invasive approaches in oncology.
Liquid biopsy, which enables the analysis of circulating biomarkers from a simple blood sample, is establishing itself today as a central tool to better understand cancer evolution, monitor treatment responses, and detect resistance mechanisms at an early stage.
International experts gathered around clinical transformation challenges
The workshop brought together several major figures in oncology and translational biology research, including Prs Christian Rolfo, Klaus Pantel, Umberto Malapelle, David Gandara, and Natasha Leighl. Their interventions provided a comprehensive overview of scientific advances, as well as the current limitations regarding the widespread adoption of these technologies within healthcare systems.
Beyond research findings, the discussions primarily highlighted a central issue: the transition from scientific innovation to routine clinical application remains incomplete in many countries.
The RespirERA Institute committed to implementation challenges
In this context, Pr Paul Hofman, Director of the RespirERA Institute, moderated several round tables dedicated to the conditions required for integrating liquid biopsy into laboratories and healthcare institutions.
The discussions focused on the need to structure organizational and technical frameworks that enable reliable and reproducible utilization of these tests. Participants also highlighted the importance of ensuring more equitable access to these innovations, which currently remains uneven across different regions and healthcare systems.
Finally, the discussions highlighted several persistent barriers, particularly related to the harmonization of practices, the evaluation of analytical quality, and the integration of results into therapeutic decisions.
A scientific dynamic undergoing structured development
The scientific program of the workshop explored the entire field of liquid biopsy, from the most established circulating biomarkers, such as circulating tumor DNA, to more recent approaches including circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles, and other biological fluids currently being investigated.
These studies reflect a major evolution in modern oncology, which is progressively moving toward more dynamic, less invasive approaches that are better suited for the longitudinal monitoring of patients.
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