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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
06:53

Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids

Published on: June 8, 2019

Circulating Tumor DNA in Early Breast Cancer: A Review.

Ilana Schlam1,2, Sara M Tolaney1,2, Nancy U Lin1,2

  • 1Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.

JAMA Oncology
|May 28, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tests show promise for early breast cancer detection and recurrence monitoring. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm if ctDNA-guided management improves patient outcomes beyond standard care.

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Diagnostics
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a noninvasive biomarker for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD), monitoring treatment, and identifying recurrence in early breast cancer.
  • While ctDNA assays show prognostic value, their optimal clinical utility in early breast cancer management is still uncertain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current data on ctDNA MRD assays in early breast cancer.
  • To assess the established analytical and clinical validity of these assays.
  • To highlight the need for further research on clinical utility and guided interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current data on ctDNA MRD assays in early breast cancer.
  • Analysis of studies on ctDNA dynamics during neoadjuvant therapy.

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Adaptation of Semiautomated Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Assays for Clinical and Preclinical Research Applications
14:14

Adaptation of Semiautomated Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Assays for Clinical and Preclinical Research Applications

Published on: February 28, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
06:53

Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids

Published on: June 8, 2019

Adaptation of Semiautomated Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Assays for Clinical and Preclinical Research Applications
14:14

Adaptation of Semiautomated Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Assays for Clinical and Preclinical Research Applications

Published on: February 28, 2014

  • Evaluation of ctDNA positivity post-treatment and during surveillance.

    • Main Results:

    • ctDNA dynamics correlate with treatment response and long-term outcomes.
    • ctDNA positivity after therapy strongly predicts distant recurrence.
    • Emergence of ctDNA during surveillance precedes clinical diagnosis of metastatic disease.
    • Observational data support ctDNA as a complementary biomarker, but evidence for improved outcomes with ctDNA-guided management is limited.

    Conclusions:

    • ctDNA-based MRD assays show potential for risk stratification and early recurrence detection in early breast cancer.
    • Clinical utility of ctDNA assays is not yet demonstrated; prospective trials are essential.
    • Clinicians must understand assay strengths, limitations, and evolving evidence before incorporating them into patient care.