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Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
Published on: June 8, 2019
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ctDNA: An emerging neoadjuvant biomarker in resectable solid tumors.
Christopher Abbosh1, Charles Swanton1,2
1Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom.
Plos Medicine
|October 12, 2021
Summary
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) shows promise as a biomarker for predicting neoadjuvant treatment response in solid tumors. Monitoring ctDNA levels can help tailor therapies for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Solid tumors pose significant challenges in treatment selection.
- Neoadjuvant therapy aims to shrink tumors before primary treatment.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for treatment response is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker.
- To assess ctDNA's potential in predicting response to neoadjuvant therapy.
- To discuss the implications for personalized cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on ctDNA analysis.
- Discussion of ctDNA detection methods and their sensitivity.
- Analysis of studies correlating ctDNA dynamics with treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- ctDNA levels can dynamically change during neoadjuvant treatment.
- Decreased ctDNA levels often correlate with positive treatment response.
- Persistent or increasing ctDNA may indicate treatment resistance.
Conclusions:
- Circulating tumor DNA is a promising, non-invasive biomarker for neoadjuvant treatment response.
- ctDNA monitoring can potentially guide treatment decisions in solid tumors.
- Further research is warranted to standardize ctDNA assays and clinical application.
