Liquid Biopsy Detects Relapse Five Months Earlier than Regular Clinical Follow-Up and Guides Targeted Treatment in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Genetic alterations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are an emerging biomarker for the early detection of relapse and have the potential to guide targeted treatment. ctDNA analysis is often performed by droplet digital PCR; however, next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows multigene testing without having to access a tumor sample to identify target alterations. Here, we report the case of a stage III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patient who remained symptomless after receiving surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Liquid biopsy analysis by NGS revealed the presence of a ctDNA PIK3CA N345K mutation five months before the detection of relapse with multiple liver metastases by regular clinical follow-up. To date, clinical implications of the PIK3CA N345K variant remain insufficiently investigated; however, everolimus treatment resulted in the shrinkage of tumor lesions and decreased the levels of tumor markers. Four months after treatment initiation, a second ctDNA analysis suggested a relapse, and the patient clinically progressed after five months of everolimus therapy. This case report demonstrates the value of ctDNA analysis by NGS for the early detection of relapse in breast cancer patients. The study further indicates its usefulness for the choice of targeted treatments, suggesting that the variant PIK3CA N345K might be associated with everolimus sensitivity.