Circulating tumor DNA: A new tool to predict recurrence and guide treatment of colorectal cancer - 23/05/25

Highlights |
• | Detection of circulating tumor DNA after surgery and/or adjuvant therapy is strongly associated with a high risk of disease recurrence. |
• | Quantitative changes in circulating tumor DNA predict early response to systemic treatment and might guide discontinuation of toxic and/or costly therapies. |
• | Addressing pre-analytical conditions, selecting the most appropriate test for each clinical situation, and improving test accessibility by reducing the costs and turn-around time are critical challenges to overcome for circulating tumor DNA implementation in routine practice. |
Summary |
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising biomarker with diverse applications across different stages of colorectal cancer management. One of its primary roles is as a prognostic biomarker for detecting post-surgical molecular residual disease and predicting recurrence risk. Compared to traditional biomarkers and tissue biopsies, ctDNA provides a minimally invasive, dynamic, and comprehensive representation of tumor burden and molecular heterogeneity. However, challenges persist in standardizing ctDNA testing, improving sensitivity for early-stage disease, and ensuring widespread accessibility. In this review, we explore the biological characteristics of ctDNA, the methodologies for its detection, and its broad clinical applications in both localized and metastatic colorectal cancer.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Colorectal cancer, Circulating tumor DNA, Biomarker, Precision medicine
Abbreviations : ctDNA, CRC, MRD, cfDNA, PCR, NGS, CEA
Plan
Vol 49 - N° 7
Article 102611- juillet 2025 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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