Sign in Subscribe
Cancer research

Circulating Tumor Cells and DNA in Peritoneal Lavage Fluid Predict Gastric Cancer Metastasis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University have discovered that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in peritoneal lavage fluid can predict peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. The study, published in Translational Research, found that patients with stage III gastric cancer who tested positive for ctDNA and CTCs had a significantly higher risk of peritoneal metastasis.

The research team analyzed preoperative and postoperative peritoneal lavage fluid from 84 patients with stage III gastric cancer. They found that ctDNA-positive patients had a higher risk of peritoneal metastasis, with a preoperative hazard ratio (HR) of 4.82 (95% CI 1.03-22.54, p = 0.04) and a postoperative HR of 4.83 (95% CI 1.03-22.54, p = 0.04). CTC-positive patients also showed a higher risk, with a preoperative HR of 6.76 (95% CI 0.92-49.74, p = 0.003) and a postoperative HR of 7.41 (95% CI 1.67-32.87, p = 0.02).

The combination of postoperative ctDNA and CTC in peritoneal lavage fluid offered the highest accuracy (85%) and risk stratification in predicting peritoneal metastasis, with a 30.30% risk versus 66.67% in the control group (p = 0.0063).

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in peritoneal lavage fluid can predict peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer (GC).
  • Patients with stage III GC who tested positive for ctDNA and CTCs had a significantly higher risk of peritoneal metastasis.
  • The combination of postoperative ctDNA and CTC in peritoneal lavage fluid offered the highest accuracy (85%) and risk stratification in predicting peritoneal metastasis.
  • The study suggests that this method may guide the postoperative prophylactic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed 84 patients with stage III GC.
  • The preoperative hazard ratio (HR) for ctDNA-positive patients was 4.82 (95% CI 1.03-22.54, p = 0.04).
  • The postoperative HR for ctDNA-positive patients was 4.83 (95% CI 1.03-22.54, p = 0.04).
  • The preoperative HR for CTC-positive patients was 6.76 (95% CI 0.92-49.74, p = 0.003).
  • The postoperative HR for CTC-positive patients was 7.41 (95% CI 1.67-32.87, p = 0.02).
  • The combination of postoperative ctDNA and CTC in peritoneal lavage fluid had a 85% accuracy and 30.30% risk of peritoneal metastasis in the control group (p = 0.0063).

Sources:

  • Effectiveness of circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA in peritoneal lavage fluid for predicting metachronous peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. Translational Research, 2025;283:13-21.
  • Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Bo Ni, Dept. of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, Adress:160 Pujian Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

Read more