AACR 2021 | ctDNA MRD detection from plasma and urine in colorectal cancer

Bruna Pellini, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, discusses the results of a study investigating the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in detecting measurable residual disease (MRD) in plasma and urine after curative-intent treatment for patients with oligometastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). This study measured ctDNA from plasma, tumor and urine samples acquired on the day of surgery from 24 patients with oligometastatic CRC. The study reported that tumor-naïve plasma ctDNA analysis detected MRD with 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity. ctDNA analysis from urine samples also had 100% specificity but sensitivity was 64%. Overall, both plasma and urine ctDNA analysis were found to be feasible in patients with oligometastatic CRC, however urine analysis was less sensitive than plasma analysis. This interview took place at the virtual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2021.