Recent observational and prospective studies have suggested that ctDNA has potential to guide clinical decision-making in early-stage colon cancer by detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) and predicting recurrence risks. MRD-negative patients may be able to de-escalate or forgo adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) without compromising disease-free survival or overall survival, while MRD-positive patients may benefit significantly from ACT. Recent and ongoing studies have given reason for optimism about the future of ctDNA as a useful biomarker for clinicians treating early-stage colon cancer. Data thus far are mostly limited to observational studies; inconsistent results highlight the need for caution. As more evidence emerges, ctDNA may become standard of care for colon cancer patients.
Keyphrases
- circulating tumor
- early stage
- free survival
- end stage renal disease
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- chronic kidney disease
- peritoneal dialysis
- prognostic factors
- circulating tumor cells
- squamous cell carcinoma
- risk assessment
- machine learning
- quality improvement
- climate change
- single molecule
- deep learning
- lymph node