Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 11, 2025
Detection of Cell-Free DNA in Blood Plasma Samples of Cancer Patients
Published on: September 9, 2020
A Pilot Study Analyzing the Clinical Utility of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Using Plasma Cell-Free DNA for Solid
Shotaro Matsudera1,2,3, Yoshihito Kano4, Yasuko Aoyagi4
1Department of Precision Cancer Medicine, Center for Innovative Cancer Treatment, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan. matsudera.canc@tmd.ac.jp.
Background:
The clinical utility of plasma cell-free DNA in precision cancer medicine has not been established. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the clinical utility of comprehensive genomic profiling by liquid biopsy in a Japanese population.
Methods:
In this PROFILE study, 102 patients with advanced solid tumors who showed progression with standard systemic therapy underwent liquid biopsy between August 2017 and February 2020. Liquid biopsy was performed using Guardant360.
Results:
Of the 102 patients, 56 were women, and the median age was 65 years. Regarding the types of cancer, 31 were hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer, 17 were gastrointestinal cancer, and 13 were breast cancer. Frequently altered genes were TP53 (53.9%, 46/102), KRAS (25.5%, 26/102), PIK3CA (19.6%, 20/102), and EGFR (17.6%, 18/102). At least one genetic aberration was detected in 92 patients (90.2%). Actionable mutation was discovered in 88 patients (86.3%), and 67 patients (65.7%) were clinical trial candidates. Of the 102 patients, 22 (21.6%) were able to receive biomarker-matched therapy. Their best responses were as follows: 1 complete response, 3 partial responses, 7 stable diseases, and 11 progressive diseases. Additionally, the treated patients were divided on the basis of matching scores (≥ 50% vs. < 50%). The patients were divided into high and low groups. The high group had a higher disease control rate (DCR) of 75% compared with 20% in the low group (P = 0.010).
Conclusions:
The results indicate that liquid biopsy is useful for identifying actionable mutations associated with the clinical response of selected patients.
