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Circulating Tumor DNA Dynamic Changes in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Immunochemotherapy
Yijia Guo1, Wang Qu1, Yun Liu1
1Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Thoracic Cancer
|May 12, 2025
Summary
Dynamic changes in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can predict treatment response in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients receiving immunochemotherapy, offering a valuable prognostic marker.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treatment.
- The predictive role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) dynamics in ESCC patients undergoing immunochemotherapy remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ctDNA dynamic changes and immunochemotherapy efficacy in ESCC.
- To explore the correlation of tumor mutation burden (TMB) and PD-L1 expression with treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 57 ESCC patients treated with immunochemotherapy.
- Paired ctDNA samples analyzed at baseline and during treatment.
- Evaluation of tumor regression rate and composite complete response (cCR) rate.
Main Results:
- Negative ctDNA during treatment correlated with higher tumor regression (96.8%) and cCR rates (45.2%).
- ctDNA clearance or continuously negative ctDNA predicted significantly higher cCR rates.
- TP53 mutation clearance in ctDNA was associated with improved tumor regression and cCR rates.
- PD-L1 CPS ≥ 15 predicted a higher cCR rate, while TMB showed no correlation with efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic changes in ctDNA show potential as a predictive biomarker for immunochemotherapy efficacy in ESCC.
- Larger-scale studies are warranted to further validate these findings.
