Analysis of circulating tumour DNA for early relapse detection in stage III colorectal cancer after adjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising biomarker for early prediction of relapse across different tumor types. In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), multiple studies have analyzed ctDNA to monitor tumor burden using fixed gene panels and droplet digital PCR. Here, we use a highly sensitive and specific, bespoke, whole exome-based NGS approach (Signatera™) for ctDNA monitoring. Methods: A cohort of 33 patients with stage III CRC who underwent surgery and were treated with at least 4 months of adjuvant chemotherapy was analyzed. Mutational profiles derived from primary tumor tissue and germline DNA whole exome were used to design assays targeting tumor-specific somatic variants. The bespoke assays were used for ctDNA detection in plasma samples. Relapse-free survival (RFS) was calculated for patients stratified by ctDNA status. Results: Plasma samples (n=44; average volume=1.8mL) from patients (N=33) were analysed for the presence of ctDNA. Of the five ctDNA-positive patients, clinical follow-up was available for three patients, all of whom relapsed (100%; 3/3); three of 27 ctDNA-negative patients (11%) also clinically relapsed. Molecular relapse through ctDNA analysis was detected up to 668 days ahead of radiological imaging with an average lead time of 305 days. The majority of relapses in ctDNA-positive patients (67%; 2/ 3) occurred within a year of follow-up, while no relapses were observed in ctDNA-negative patients during the one-year time frame. All plasma samples (n=34) from 24 nonrelapsing patients were ctDNA negative, corresponding to a specificity of 100%. The presence of ctDNA was associated with a markedly reduced RFS compared to ctDNA-negative patients (HR: 5.6; 95% CI: 0.6-52.1; p<0.01). Conclusions: The study results indicate that ctDNA status is associated with high relapse risk in patients with CRC and can serve as a predictor of patient outcome. Despite low plasma volumes (<5mL) and lack of longitudinal samples for analysis, ctDNA was detected in 50% of relapse cases.