Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Fig. 1. Likelihood of detecting tumors of various sizes through ctDNA quantification.
Tables
Application Summary Potential for clinical utility References Prognosis Undetectable ctDNA in the bloodstream after surgery are correlated with improved prognosis and smaller chances of relapse
Strength and type of chemotherapy can be informed by ctDNA analysis showing likelihood of relapse
Excellent 13–31, 70, 88, 89 Monitoring treatment efficacy and early relapse detection Increased number of mutations or rising ctDNA concentration can indicate treatment failure, resistance, and relapse
Excellent, maybe in combination with protein markers 13–20, 23–29 Selection of treatment Knowledge of mutations in the ctDNA informs choice of therapy (personalized treatments)
ctDNA avoids tumor heterogeneity issues by providing overview of all the mutations in the tumor (assuming all tumor cells secrete DNA at the same rate)
Excellent 17, 28, 30–33, 73 Tumor size/disease burden Larger amount of ctDNA in blood denotes advanced tumor stage and volume
Blood testing does not carry the risk of radiation exposure or poor accuracy of imaging and can be repeated more often than traditional biopsies
Excellent, especially in combination with imaging 15, 17, 18, 20–29, 88, 89 Detection of cancer in asymptomatic individuals/population screening Most studies show poor sensitivity, especially for early-stage tumors
For small tumors, there is not enough ctDNA present to allow for an accurate test result
Threshold appears to be 1-cm-diameter tumors
Under intense investigation; could be used in combination with protein biomarkers 13, 30, 70, 88, 89
