Liquid biopsy for rectal cancer: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Rectal cancer (RC) management is evolving, integrating multidisciplinary approaches.
• Liquid biopsy, analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), offers potential complementary information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the role of liquid biopsy in non-metastatic rectal cancer.
• To assess ctDNA as a diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic biomarker.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of literature adhering to PRISMA criteria.
• Analysis of 25 retrieved publications (full-text articles, abstracts, clinical trials).

Main Results:

• Limited but promising diagnostic data for liquid biopsy in early RC, hampered by low ctDNA sensitivity.
• Inconclusive pre-treatment data for predicting chemoradiation response; dynamic monitoring shows positive correlation.
• ctDNA detection of minimal residual disease consistently correlates with worse prognosis.

Conclusions:

• Liquid biopsy shows advanced potential in monitoring chemoradiation response and assessing recurrence risk in RC.
• Applications include supporting non-operative management strategies for rectal cancer.