The development of noninvasive methods to detect and monitor tumors continues to be a major challenge in oncology. We used digital polymerase chain reaction–based technologies to evaluate the ability of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to detect tumors in 640 patients with various cancer types. We found that ctDNA was detectable in >75% of patients with advanced pancreatic, ovarian, colorectal, bladder, gastroesophageal, breast, melanoma, hepatocellular, and head and neck cancers, but in less than 50% of primary brain, renal, prostate, or thyroid cancers. In patients with localized tumors, ctDNA was detected in 73, 57, 48, and 50% of patients with colorectal cancer, gastroesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast adenocarcinoma, respectively. ctDNA was often present in patients without detectable circulating tumor cells, suggesting that these two biomarkers are distinct entities. In a separate panel of 206 patients with metastatic colorectal cancers, we showed that the sensitivity of ctDNA for detection of clinically relevant KRAS gene mutations was 87.2% and its specificity was 99.2%. Finally, we assessed whether ctDNA could provide clues into the mechanisms underlying resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor blockade in 24 patients who objectively responded to therapy but subsequently relapsed. Twenty-three (96%) of these patients developed one or more mutations in genes involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Together, these data suggest that ctDNA is a broadly applicable, sensitive, and specific biomarker that can be used for a variety of clinical and research purposes in patients with multiple different types of cancer.

IMPORTANCE For patients with resected, nonmetastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), the optimal surveillance protocol remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels detected disease recurrence earlier, compared with conventional postoperative surveillance, in patients with resected CRC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This study included patients (n = 58) with stage I, II, or III CRC who underwent radical surgical resection at 4 Swedish hospitals from February 2, 2007, to May 8, 2013. Eighteen patients received adjuvant chemotherapy at the discretion of their clinicians, who were blinded to the ctDNA results. Blood samples were collected at 1 month after the surgical procedure and every 3 to 6 months thereafter for ctDNA analysis. Patients were followed up until metachronous metastases were detected, or for a median of 49 months. Data analysis was performed from March 1, 2009, to June 23, 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Sensitivity and timing of ctDNA positivity were compared with those of conventional surveillance modalities (computed tomographic scans and serum carcinoembryonic antigen tests) for the detection of disease recurrence. RESULTS This study included 319 blood samples from 58 patients, with a median (range) age of 69 (47-83) years and 34 males (59%). The recurrence rate among patients with positive ctDNA levels was 77% (10 of 13 patients). Positive ctDNA preceded radiologic and clinical evidence of recurrence by a median of 3 months. Of the 45 patients with negative ctDNA throughout follow-up, none (0%; 95% CI, 0%-7.9%) experienced a relapse, with a median follow-up of 49 months. However, 3 (6%; 95% CI, 1.3%-17%) of the 48 patients without relapse had a positive ctDNA result, which subsequently fell to undetectable levels during follow-up. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Although these findings need to be validated in a larger, prospective trial, they suggest that ctDNA analysis could complement conventional surveillance strategies as a triage test to stratify patients with resected CRC on the basis of risk of disease recurrence.

APC mutations can be detected in fecal DNA from patients with relatively early colorectal tumors. This feasibility study suggests a new approach for the early detection of colorectal neoplasms.

No abstract