Minimal residual disease detection with circulating tumor DNA in
colorectal cancer: current horizons and future perspectives in clinical
applications
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant health concern in the
world. The existing standard of care guidelines for CRC surveillance
falls short of effectively and timely detecting recurrence or
metastasis. In recent years, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged
as a promising material for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection. In
this paper, we provide an exhaustive review of the methods utilized for
MRD detection via ctDNA, present evidence supporting the potential of
ctDNA MRD as a valuable biomarker in clinical applications, and engage
in a discussion regarding ongoing ctDNA MRD based clinical trials in
CRC. Lastly, we offer insights into future prospects of ctDNA-based MRD
methodological advancements and clinical research. It’s foreseeable that
more sensitive, flexible, and economic MRD detection methods will emerge
with the deeper research on cfDNA genomics, fragmentomics, methylomes,
and nucleosome imprinting. At the same time, MRD-guided intervention
study will evolve for revolutionizing the treatment paradigm of CRC.