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Updated: Jul 9, 2025
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Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
Published on: June 8, 2019
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A scenario-drafting study to explore potential future implementation pathways of circulating tumor DNA testing in
Astrid Kramer1, Carmen Rubio-Alarcón2, Daan van den Broek3
1Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands.
Molecular Oncology
|December 7, 2023
Summary
Implementing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing in oncology requires addressing specific challenges. Experts identified tumor profiling and treatment response monitoring as key applications for non-small cell lung cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Biomarker Development
Background:
- Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection offers promising applications in cancer care.
- The clinical implementation pathway for ctDNA testing remains undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore future implementation pathways for ctDNA testing in oncology.
- To identify expert opinions on the readiness of ctDNA applications for clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- A study of four ctDNA testing applications across two cancer types.
- Elicitation of opinions from 30 ctDNA experts in the Netherlands.
Main Results:
- Evidence and implementation readiness for ctDNA applications vary by cancer type and specific use case.
- Tumor profiling and treatment response monitoring in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are anticipated for near-term implementation (within 5 years).
- ctDNA applications in colorectal cancer are currently in early implementation stages.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrating clinical utility is crucial for ctDNA test implementation, but consensus on evidence requirements is lacking.
- Defining evaluation methods for biomarker clinical utility is the next critical step.
- Addressing specific challenges for each application and tumor type through stakeholder collaboration is essential for successful implementation and patient access.
