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Updated: May 1, 2026
Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
Published on: June 8, 2019
An ultrasensitive method for quantitating circulating tumor DNA with broad patient coverage.
Aaron M Newman1, Scott V Bratman2, Jacqueline To3
11] Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA. [2] Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA. [3].
Cancer personalized profiling by deep sequencing (CAPP-Seq) offers an ultrasensitive method for detecting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). This approach shows high sensitivity and specificity for non-small cell lung cancer, enabling early detection and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) shows promise for noninvasive cancer burden assessment.
- Current ctDNA detection methods lack the sensitivity and patient coverage for widespread clinical use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Cancer Personalized Profiling by Deep Sequencing (CAPP-Seq), an economical and ultrasensitive ctDNA quantification method.
- To evaluate CAPP-Seq's efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) detection and monitoring.
Main Methods:
- CAPP-Seq utilizes deep sequencing for personalized profiling of circulating tumor DNA.
- The method was designed to cover multiple classes of somatic alterations in NSCLC.
- Sensitivity and specificity were assessed for detecting low-fraction ctDNA mutations.
Main Results:
- CAPP-Seq identified mutations in over 95% of NSCLC tumors.
- ctDNA was detected in 100% of stage II-IV and 50% of stage I NSCLC patients with 96% specificity.
- ctDNA levels correlated with tumor volume, differentiated residual disease, and enabled earlier response assessment than imaging.
Conclusions:
- CAPP-Seq is an ultrasensitive, economical method for ctDNA quantification with broad clinical potential.
- The technology facilitates biopsy-free tumor screening, genotyping, and personalized cancer therapy.
- CAPP-Seq could be routinely applied for detecting and monitoring various malignancies.
