Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025
A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis
Published on: March 8, 2022
Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis and Functional Imaging Provide Complementary Approaches for Comprehensive Disease
Stephen Q Wong1, Jeanette M Raleigh1, Jason Callahan1
1All authors: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre; Kenneth Doig, Heather Thorne, David D. Bowtell, Carleen Cullinane, Mark A. Dawson, Anthony T. Papenfuss, Mark Shackleton, Rodney J. Hicks, Grant A. McArthur, Shahneen Sandhu, and Sarah-Jane Dawson, University of Melbourne; and Anthony T. Papenfuss, Walter Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) monitoring complements FDG-PET imaging in metastatic melanoma. Early ctDNA decrease predicts improved survival and treatment response, reflecting tumor burden and genomic changes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) offers noninvasive disease monitoring for various cancers.
- The relationship between ctDNA and metabolic tumor burden via FDG-PET in metastatic melanoma is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess ctDNA's role alongside FDG-PET in monitoring tumor burden and genomic heterogeneity during metastatic melanoma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Serial ctDNA and FDG-PET analyses were performed on 52 metastatic melanoma patients undergoing systemic therapy.
- Next-generation sequencing and digital PCR were used for plasma ctDNA analysis.
Main Results:
- ctDNA levels for BRAF, NRAS, and TERT promoter mutations correlated with metabolic disease burden.
- Early ctDNA reduction post-treatment indicated improved progression-free survival (HR, 2.6; P = .05).
- ctDNA identified resistance mechanisms and captured genomic heterogeneity across multiple disease sites.
Conclusions:
- ctDNA serves as a powerful tool in metastatic melanoma, complementing functional imaging.
- It enables real-time monitoring of tumor burden and genomic alterations during therapy.
