GI Debate Chicago 2023 | ctDNA analysis as a part of detecting and monitoring gastrointestinal malignancies

Suneel Kamath, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, explains how ctDNA analysis fits in with and compares to other traditional imaging methods in detecting and monitoring gastrointestinal malignancies. From his perspective it is a powerful, complementary tool and a key part of detection and monitoring strategies, supported by data indicating that ctDNA positivity is the strongest predictor of recurrence compared with any other pathological factor. It is more sensitive than CEA and other tumor marker tests, especially in colon cancer detection and monitoring. However, ctDNA false positives do occur, and further, recurrence is still known to occur in patients following negative ctDNA results. Therefore, imaging and other methods, such as colonoscopies for colon cancer monitoring, retain their importance as essential parts of detection and monitoring strategy. This interview took place at the Great Debates and Updates GI Malignancies Debate in Chicago, IL.

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