A recent study revealed that even minimal traces of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma can be linked to an increased risk of cancer recurrence. This finding suggests that highly sensitive genomic tests, like NeXT Personal, may play a crucial role in identifying patients at higher risk and guiding personalized treatment strategies. The study, part of the TRACERx cohort, showed that patients with <80 ppm preoperative ctDNA levels had a lower overall survival compared to patients who were ctDNA-negative, highlighting the potential clinical significance of detecting ctDNA at very low levels.
The study utilized NeXT Personal, a genomic test capable of detecting ctDNA at levels as low as 1 to 3 ppm with 99.9% specificity. The test proved highly sensitive in detecting early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, including 81% of lung adenocarcinomas. Results indicated that preoperative ctDNA levels were strongly prognostic for overall survival in patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. Patients who tested negative for ctDNA prior to surgery showed a 5-year overall survival rate of 100%, while those with detectable ctDNA had a significantly higher risk of relapse. These findings emphasize the importance of ultrasensitive measurable residual disease testing in improving outcomes for patients with lung cancer.
Reference: The ASCO Post Staff. Even Low Levels of ctDNA May Be Linked to Recurrence Risk in Early Lung Cancer, Study Finds. The ASCO Post. Published January 14, 2025. Accessed January 30, 2025. https://ascopost.com/news/january-2025/even-low-levels-of-ctdna-may-be-linked-to-recurrence-risk-in-early-lung-cancer-study-finds/
