Circulating tumor DNA: A non-invasive approach to cancer detection

Introduction Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been known as a revolutionary tool in the non-invasive detection of cancer. ctDNA has shown superiority in the case of detecting early recurrences in colorectal and breast cancers, compared to traditional protein biomarkers. ctDNA in colon cancer has shown greater accuracy than serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), while in breast cancer, it has proved to be better than carbohydrate antigen ۱۵-۳ (CA ۱۵-۳) in early detection. These developments demonstrate that ctDNA is now a great option for medical professionals in making cancer diagnosis and monitoring patients. Methods A deep examination of the articles from scientific sources, including PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE, was performed to collect information about the potential of ctDNA as a biomarker for cancer detection. The review comprises ۷ articles that generally focused on the biological characteristics of ctDNA, its detection methods, and its clinical applications. ctDNA research was looked at as a whole and its applications were illustrated by using special cases for different types of cancer as the major carrier of strengths and weaknesses. Results The analysis revealed several critical findings. ctDNA is a much more precise and sensitive cancer recurrence and therapy monitoring tool than traditional protein biomarkers. Minimal residual disease detection and treatment response prediction are among the key areas where ctDNA technology has displayed potential in identifying mutations in different types of cancers, such as colorectal, breast, melanoma, NSCLC, and solid tumors treated with pembrolizumab. ctDNA has some challenges such as false-negative and false-positive results, low shedding of ctDNA in some tumors, high cost, and long turnaround time for results. Conclusion ctDNA has been very promising to be a non-invasive alternative to conventional tissue biopsies, and it may change how cancer will be detected and treated. Personalized therapy is possible with ctDNA due to its simplicity and the ability to monitor the condition. Companies like Grail and Guardant Health have been the leading ones in creating cost-effective ctDNA tests, which have received regulatory approvals like the FDA approval for the EGFR Mutation Test v۲ in NSCLCs. While sensitivity and clinical validation are the major challenges, the rapid advancement in sequencing technologies and the ongoing trials are the key factors that indicate ctDNA's future in routine clinical practices.

کلیدواژه ها:

Circulating tumor DNA ، Cancer detection ، Liquid biopsy ، Biomarkers ، Personalized medicine