Abstract
Background: We aimed to determine whether circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) aids in prognosis of relapse-free survival (RFS). Methods: Non-small cell lung cancer patients with ALK mutations were recruited prospectively. CTCs and cfDNA were quantified at different time points. RFS was estimated and correlated. Results: Baseline median CTCs and cfDNA were 16 cells and 57 ng/mL and declined to nine cells and 30 ng/mL, respectively, postsurgery in 150 patients. Interestingly, patients without detectable CTCs postsurgery fared better for RFS. cfDNA monitoring showed deviations within 7 months of surgery that were significant predictors for RFS. Conclusion: Short-term monitoring of CTCs and cfDNA variations shows promise for early risk detection and may aid in better disease control.
Keywords:
ALK; CTCs; NSCLC; cfDNA; liquid biopsy.
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase / genetics
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / blood
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / surgery*
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Cell-Free Nucleic Acids / blood*
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Disease-Free Survival
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Female
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Follow-Up Studies
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Gene Rearrangement
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Humans
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Liquid Biopsy / methods
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Lung / pathology
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Lung / surgery
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Lung Neoplasms / blood
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Lung Neoplasms / genetics
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Lung Neoplasms / mortality
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Lung Neoplasms / surgery*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Mutation
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Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / epidemiology*
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Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics
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Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control
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Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / pathology*
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Pneumonectomy
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Postoperative Period
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Prognosis
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Prospective Studies
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Risk Assessment / methods
Substances
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Cell-Free Nucleic Acids
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ALK protein, human
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Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase