Fragments of tumor DNA circulating in the bloodstream of patients with breast cancer may predict whether they are likely to experience relapse—especially when samples are taken after the patients have received treatments prior to surgery. Findings presented at the 15th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC15) in Barcelona included the largest number of events reported so far for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in individual patients (Abstract 12). Events could include the tumor starting to grow again, metastasis, death, or a new tumor in the same or the other breast.
The findings mean that doctors could analyze ctDNA in patients when they complete neoadjuvant therapy to assess the risk of relapse and plan appropriate, individualized treatments after surgery.
Study Methods and Findings
Elisa Agostinetto, MD, a…