ctDNA-MRD testing higher predicted outcomes versus PET/CT scans for big B-cell lymphoma: © vitanovski – inventory.adobe.com.
A minimal measurable residual illness (MRD) evaluation utilizing the Foresight CLARITY take a look at supplied better prognostic accuracy than PET/CT scans in sufferers with massive B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), based on a information launch from Foresight Diagnostics.
“These findings spotlight the scientific worth of attaining circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-MRD negativity on the finish of therapy and underscore the constraints of relying solely on PET/CT for remission evaluation,” Dr. David Kurtz, chief medical officer at Foresight Diagnostics and co-author on the evaluation, stated within the information launch. “With the ultra-high sensitivity of Foresight CLARITY™, we will detect illness that imaging misses, providing clinicians a extra correct and actionable device for post-treatment threat stratification.”
Notably, ctDNA, often known as circulating tumor DNA, based on the Dana-Farber Most cancers Institute web site, is a sort of DNA which is launched into the bloodstream, and could be detected; these detectable DNA cells come from most cancers cells.
Can ctDNA-MRD Testing Extra Precisely Predict Outcomes in B-Cell Lymphoma In contrast With PET/CT?
Examine findings had been revealed within the Journal of Scientific Oncology. A blood-based take a look at known as ctDNA-MRD was in a position to present how sufferers had been responding to chemotherapy as early as after two therapy cycles. At that time, sufferers whose take a look at confirmed no remaining most cancers (undetectable MRD) had a 2-year progression-free survival (the time sufferers stay with out their most cancers worsening) of 96%, in contrast with 67% for these whose take a look at confirmed remaining most cancers.
The take a look at was much more correct on the finish of remedy. Right now, 78% of sufferers had been MRD-negative, they usually had a 2-year progression-free survival of 97%. In distinction, solely 29% of MRD-positive sufferers remained progression-free at 2 years. For comparability, imaging with PET/CT was much less in a position to predict affected person outcomes.
Moreover, MRD outcomes gave extra perception past what imaging confirmed. Sufferers with detectable MRD had a better likelihood of relapse even when their scans seemed clear, whereas sufferers with undetectable MRD had higher outcomes even when their scans urged most cancers remained.
In whole, the Foresight CLARITY take a look at confirmed 86% sensitivity for detecting relapse and 91% specificity for confirming remission, primarily based on a median follow-up of 37 months.
“Our research illustrates the potential of ctDNA-MRD detection to extra exactly outline remission in B-cell lymphoma,” Dr. Mark Roschewski, senior clinician and deputy department chief of the Lymphoid Malignancies Department on the Middle for Most cancers Analysis and lead writer of the publication, stated within the information launch. “The outcomes assist the incorporation of novel surrogate endpoints similar to molecular response into potential research evaluating how they may help scientific choices following frontline remedy.”
These outcomes from this pooled evaluation had been included in Foresight’s scientific suggestions to the Nationwide Complete Most cancers Community (NCCN). These findings supported the December 2024 replace to the NCCN Scientific Observe Tips in Oncology for B-cell lymphomas. The replace included ctDNA-MRD testing as a device to assist interpret PET-positive scans on the finish of remedy.
What Trials Are Evaluating ctDNA-Guided Therapy Selections?
Ongoing research are testing whether or not blood-based ctDNA outcomes will help information therapy choices for B-cell lymphoma. The ALPHA3 research is enrolling sufferers whose most cancers goes into remission after preliminary therapy however nonetheless have indicators of ctDNA of their blood. One other research, known as SHORTEN-ctDNA, is exploring whether or not early clearance of ctDNA may very well be used as a marker to securely scale back the depth of chemotherapy.
What’s a PET/CT Scan?
A PET-CT scan is a process that mixes photos from a positron emission tomography (PET) scan and a computed tomography (CT) scan, taken on the identical time with one machine, based on the Nationwide Most cancers Institute’s web site, most cancers.gov.
Collectively, these scans present extra detailed photos of areas contained in the physique than both take a look at alone. PET-CT scans could also be used to assist diagnose situations similar to most cancers, information therapy planning, or test how properly therapy is working. It’s also known as a positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan.
References
- “Foresight Diagnostics Pronounces Publication of Landmark Examine Demonstrating Prognostic Worth of Ultrasensitive ctDNA-MRD Detection in Massive B-Cell
- “What Is ctDNA,” by Rob Levy. Dana-Farber Most cancers Institute. June 26, 2023.
- Lymphoma,” Foresight Diagnostics. Information Launch. Aug 18, 2025.
- “Remission Evaluation by Circulating Tumor DNA in Massive B-cell Lymphoma,” by Dr. Mark Roschewski, et al. Journal of Scientific Oncology.
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