Genomic characterization of metastatic patterns in prostate cancer using circulating tumor DNA data from the...

Genomic characterization of the predisposition of tumors to metastasize to specific sites has been performed in a few studies using mainly tissue-derived genomes. This nationwide prospective observational study investigated the association between genomic characteristics using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and the synchronous and metachronous metastasis of tumors to specific target organs in advanced prostate cancer.

Patients with advanced prostate cancer undergoing systemic treatment were included. ctDNA was analyzed using the FoundationOne®Liquid CDx assay at enrollment. Associations between genomic characteristics and metastatic status were examined.

Alterations in the genes MYC, APC, and BRCA2 and the DNA repair, MYC, and WNT pathways were associated with lung and liver metastasis. PTEN gene alterations and PI3K pathway alteration were associated with synchronous lung metastasis. RB1 gene alteration and RAS/RAF/MAPK pathway alteration were associated with synchronous liver metastasis. RB1 and BRCA2 gene alterations predicted metachronous lung metastasis, while TP53 and MYC gene alterations predicted metachronous liver metastasis.

This study identifies genomic alterations in ctDNA associated with synchronous and metachronous metastases. These findings may be clinically helpful for treating, managing, and monitoring cancer.