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News
A sweeping review of 162 studies finds that reductions in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are strongly and consistently tied to improved overall survival across solid cancers. Despite wide variation in how studies were conducted, 75 out of 76 reporting hazard ratios showed the same positive signal. Researchers say standardizing ctDNA measurement could unlock its full potential as a clinical trial endpoint.
A large-scale landscape assessment of 162 studies has found that reductions in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) — fragments of cancer DNA shed into the bloodstream — are strongly associated with improved overall survival (OS) across a wide range of solid tumor types. The findings, published in JCO Oncology Advances, span cancers including lung, colorectal, and melanoma, and cover all phases of clinical trials as well as observational research.
What makes the results especially compelling is their consistency. Despite major differences in assay types, collection timepoints, and how "molecular response" was defined, 75 of 76 studies reporting hazard ratios showed ctDNA reductions linked to better OS — with most reaching statistical significance. Lead researcher Elena Levi-D'Ancona, PhD, called the uniformity "particularly striking."
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: ctDNA holds promise as a surrogate endpoint in cancer trials, potentially accelerating drug approvals and treatment decisions. But without standardized protocols, comparing results across studies remains difficult. Researchers are calling for more prospective, intentionally designed trials to build the evidence base needed for regulatory use.
