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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
Published on: June 8, 2019
Ultrasensitive circulating tumor DNA detection improves prognostication in triple-negative breast cancer
L Cabel1, C Lamy2, C W Abbott3
1Department of Medical Oncology, Institute Curie, Paris and Saint-Cloud, France; Circulating Tumor Biomarkers Laboratory, CIC Inserm 1428, Paris, France.
ESMO Open
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detected after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients is a strong predictor of distant recurrence. This ultrasensitive ctDNA test can personalize treatment by identifying patients at high risk for metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is standard for stage II-III triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
- A need exists for tests detecting micrometastases to personalize post-NAT treatment beyond pathological complete response (pCR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic value of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in early-stage TNBC patients undergoing NAT.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 286 plasma samples from 86 TNBC patients (SCANDARE study).
- Ultrasensitive, tumor-informed, whole-genome ctDNA assay used at presurgical timepoints: baseline, during/post-NAT, and follow-up.
- Median follow-up of 5.1 years.
Main Results:
- 100% of baseline plasma samples showed detectable ctDNA.
- Ultrasensitive ctDNA detection post-NAT, presurgery strongly predicted distant recurrence-free interval, disease-free survival, and overall survival.
- ctDNA status improved prognostication in non-pCR patients, with 94% of those with undetectable ctDNA post-NAT remaining recurrence-free.
Conclusions:
- ctDNA shows potential for refining risk assessment in early-stage TNBC.
- Further investigation of ctDNA in interventional settings is supported to guide systemic therapy decisions.
