Dr. Kozuch on the Role of ctDNA Following Surgery in CRC

Peter Kozuch, MD, medical oncologist, site director, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mount Sinai West, co-chair, Mount Sinai Health System, Disease Focus Group Gastrointestinal Oncology Multidisciplinary Program, associate director, Mount Sinai Health System, Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program, discusses the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in colorectal cancer (CRC).

The detection of tumor-based ctDNA has proven to be an effective predictor of disease relapse and recurrence in patients with resected, stage II CRC, Kozuch explains. When ctDNA is not detected following resection, clinicians can determine which patients can safely avoid adjuvant chemotherapy, Kozuch adds.

In patients where ctDNA is present following surgery, relapse is more likely, and patients in this population may benefit from postoperative treatment consisting of oxaliplatin-based therapy, Kozuch concludes.