Parallel Evaluation of Circulating Tumor DNA and Circulating Tumor Cells in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

摘要

Liquid biopsy, encompassing circulating tumor (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells, is under investigation to overcome spatial and temporal heterogeneity of metastatic colorectal cancer. Limited comparative data are available. In a cohort of 20 patients, we show that ctDNA was detectable in all cases, whereas circulating tumor cells were detectable in one-third of cases. ctDNA analysis appears readily available to be a candidate for clinical application in metastatic colorectal cancer.