Clinical Applications of “Liquid Biopsy” in the Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Background: A blood-based technology platform tracking circulating tumor DNA, “Liquid biopsy” represents an ideal non-invasive tool allowing multiple testing over time, monitoring real time changes occurring within the tumor and evaluation of therapeutic response. Here, we show its practical applications via monitoring of KRAS mutation in detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) during treatments.
Methods: 238 plasma samples were collected from 57 patients (pts) who underwent chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. KRAS mutant ctDNA (MctDNA) was determined by digital PCR as a tool of Liquid biopsy.
Results: KRAS assessment in tumor tissues showed 19 patients with mutation (MT) and 38 without mutation (WT). Among 19 patients with MT, 12 patients displayed mutant ctDNA at the initial assessment and 7 patients showed no MctDNA. Regardless of KRAS status in tumor tissues, poor response was likely seen in patients with MctDNA. While 38 patients with WT showed no MctDNA before chemotherapy except one patient (Patient 1), 4 patients exhibited MctDNA after treatments with various regimens.
Background: A blood-based technology platform tracking circulating tumor DNA, “Liquid biopsy” represents an ideal non-invasive tool allowing multiple testing over time, monitoring real time changes occurring within the tumor and evaluation of therapeutic response. Here, we show its practical applications via monitoring of KRAS mutation in detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) during treatments.
