Abstract
Background: Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has been spotlighted as an attractive biomarker because of its easy accessibility and real-time representation of tumour genetic profile. However, the clinical utility of longitudinal ctDNA monitoring has not been clearly defined. Methods: Serial blood samples were obtained from metastatic colorectal cancer patients undergoing first-line chemotherapy. ctDNA was sequenced using a targeted next-generation sequencing platform which included 106 genes. Changes in ctDNA profile and treatment outcome were comprehensively analysed. Results: A total of 272 samples from 62 patients were analysed. In all, 90.3% of patients had detectable ctDNA mutation before treatment. ctDNA clearance after chemotherapy was associated with longer progression-free survival which was independent of radiological response (adjusted hazard ratio 0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.10–0.46). Longitudinal monitoring was able to detect ctDNA progression which preceded radiological progressive disease (PD) in 58.1% (median 3.3 months). Diverse resistant mutations (34.9%) and gene amplification (7.0%) at the time of PD were discovered. For 16.3% of the PD patients, the newly identified mutations could be potential candidates of targeted therapy or clinical trial. Conclusion: ctDNA profile provided a more accurate landscape of tumour and dynamic changes compared to radiological evaluation. Longitudinal ctDNA monitoring may improve personalised treatment decision-making.
Original language | English |
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Journal | British journal of cancer |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Accepted/In press - 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by grants from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HI18C2282).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Oncology
- Cancer Research