| Title: |
Circulating Tumor DNA as a Real-Time Biomarker for Minimal Residual Disease and Recurrence Prediction in Stage II Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
| Authors: |
Negro S.; Pulvirenti A.; Trento C.; Indraccolo S.; Ferrari S.; Scarpa M.; Urso E. D. L.; Bergamo F.; Pucciarelli S.; Deidda S.; Restivo A.; Lonardi S.; Spolverato G. |
| Contributors: |
Negro, S.; Pulvirenti, A.; Trento, C.; Indraccolo, S.; Ferrari, S.; Scarpa, M.; Urso, E. D. L.; Bergamo, F.; Pucciarelli, S.; Deidda, S.; Restivo, A.; Lonardi, S.; Spolverato, G. |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Università degli Studi di Cagliari: UNICA IRIS |
| Subject Terms: |
adjuvant chemotherapy; circulating tumor DNA; colorectal cancer; dynamic surveillance; minimal residual disease; precision oncology |
| Description: |
The role of adjuvant chemotherapy (adj-CT) in stage II colon cancer remains controversial. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a promising biomarker for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) and predicting recurrence. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic value of ctDNA in stage II colorectal cancer (CRC), focusing on postoperative detection, post adj-CT outcomes, and dynamic surveillance. A literature search identified studies correlating ctDNA positivity in stage II CRC with recurrence risk, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Postoperative ctDNA positivity significantly increased the risk of recurrence (pooled risk ratio [RR:] 3.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–10.72; p = 0.002). CtDNA positivity after adj-CT was strongly associated with poor survival, while dynamic ctDNA monitoring detected recurrence earlier than conventional methods, including carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and imaging. CtDNA is a robust prognostic biomarker in stage II CRC, enabling personalized treatment. High-risk ctDNA-positive patients may benefit from intensified therapy, while ctDNA-negative patients could avoid unnecessary treatments. However, the standardization of detection methods and large-scale validation studies are needed before integrating ctDNA into routine clinical practice as a non-invasive, dynamic tool for personalized care. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/40141130; info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/wos/WOS:001452710400001; volume:26; issue:6; journal:INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES; https://hdl.handle.net/11584/468626 |
| DOI: |
10.3390/IJMS26062486 |
| Availability: |
https://hdl.handle.net/11584/468626; https://doi.org/10.3390/IJMS26062486 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.C276DBFA |
| Database: |
BASE |