Circulating Tumor DNA Predicts Outcomes in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Medical School of Nanchang University have made a significant discovery in understanding the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in predicting long-term outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. By analyzing ten studies involving 1859 cases, the team found that positive ctDNA-based molecular residual disease (MRD) significantly predicted worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of more effective treatment strategies for this type of cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Positive ctDNA-based MRD significantly predicted worse PFS (HR = 11.19, 95% CI: 6.10-20.52, P < 0.0001) in NSCLC patients.
  • The meta-analysis included ten studies with 1859 cases and demonstrated that ctDNA-based MRD could serve as a valuable prognostic indicator in NSCLC.
  • Patients with positive ctDNA-based MRD are at significantly greater risk of recurrence and lower survival.
  • Subgroup analyses based on the time point of MRD detection (landmark vs. longitudinal) and treatment (surgery vs. chemoradiotherapy) were further performed.
  • The research highlighted the potential of ctDNA-based MRD as a non-invasive biomarker for predicting NSCLC patient outcomes.
  • Siyuan Che and Dongliang Yu from the Medical School of Nanchang University are the authors of this research.
  • The findings have significant implications for the development of more effective treatment strategies for NSCLC.

Statistics:

  • 10 studies with 1859 cases were included in the meta-analysis.
  • Pooled results demonstrated that positive ctDNA MRD significantly predicted worse PFS (HR = 11.19, 95% CI: 6.10-20.52, P < 0.0001).
  • The meta-analysis included studies that examined the predictive role of ctDNA-based MRD for long-term outcomes in NSCLC patients.
  • 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to estimate the effect sizes of the studies.

Sources:

  • World Journal of Surgical Oncology, 2025,23(1):1-8.
  • 10.1186/s12957-025-03890-3
  • BM*C (publisher)
  • https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-025-03890-3
  • Queen Mary College, Medical School of Nanchang University (contact: Siyuan Che)