Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2026 Apr 1;35(4):491-493. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-25-1971.

ABSTRACT

Recently, stool- and blood-based cancer screening kits have been approved in clinical practice as convenient and noninvasive methods for colon cancer screening. One such test in long-standing practice has included the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), wherein home-based testing has rendered it a convenient initial assay to complement screening colonoscopy, despite limitations in diagnostic performance. In a recent original study published in the journal by Nguyen and colleagues, the feasibility and performance of combining FIT with circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration for predicting colorectal neoplasia and the risk of developing colorectal cancer were described. In this commentary, we highlight the potential of this combination as a novel colorectal cancer screening technique. The introduction of CTC as a potential colorectal cancer screening assay is timely, given the emergence of liquid biopsies that hold promise in their ability to detect a multitude of cancer-specific signals, from the detection of minimal residual disease to the detection of molecular alterations for precision therapies in oncology. We place the importance of their results in the context of the evolving landscape of stool- and blood-based colorectal cancer screening tests involving multitarget fecal DNA and cell-free DNA assays. See related article by Nguyen et al., Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2026;35:79-87.

PMID:41918361 | DOI:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-25-1971

Oncologist. 2026 Mar 30:oyag108. doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyag108. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies, with limited integration of precision oncology into routine clinical care. We present a unique case of a RAS wild-type, MSI-H, TMB-H pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma harboring a TPM3-NTRK1 fusion, monitored through 13 serial liquid biopsies over 3 years. Dynamic changes in NTRK1-fusion allele frequency, tumor mutational burden, and the emergence of an NTRK1 resistance mutation guided finely tuned, situation-adapted therapeutic adjustments: rapid disease control with targeted NTRK inhibition followed by durable remission under immune checkpoint blockade. This case highlights the power of comprehensive molecular profiling and high-frequency ctDNA monitoring to capture tumor evolution and minimal residual disease. Importantly, it further demonstrates how MRD-guided surveillance enables a precise balance between fast-acting targeted therapy and the sustained effects of immunotherapy, providing a blueprint for individualized, context- driven treatment strategies in rare molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer.

PMID:41913057 | DOI:10.1093/oncolo/oyag108

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2026 Apr;35(2):399-414. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2025.12.010. Epub 2026 Feb 6.

ABSTRACT

Liquid biopsies offer a promising, noninvasive approach for monitoring and predicting responses to immunotherapy across multiple solid tumors. For the most part these are circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) based assays. Here, we discuss the biological basis, clinical evidence, and potential applications of different types of ctDNA assays in tracking tumor dynamics, distinguishing pseudoprogression, and assessing minimal residual disease. We explore the current limitations, assay variability, and future directions, including integration with other biomarkers and real-world clinical trials aimed at validating ctDNA as a routine tool in precision immuno-oncology.

PMID:41903996 | DOI:10.1016/j.soc.2025.12.010

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2026 Mar 25;222:105300. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2026.105300. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with a high rate of recurrence due to minimal residual disease (MRD). Traditional surveillance methods have limited sensitivity for detecting MRD. ctDNA has emerged as a promising biomarker for real-time tumor monitoring and early detection of MRD.

METHODS: We performed a systematic search of Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL through July 2025. Eligible studies included cohort studies involving adults with EOC that reported ctDNA data, collected post-surgery or after adjuvant chemotherapy. Survival outcomes, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), were extracted and stratified by ctDNA status (detectable vs. undetectable). All statistical analyses were performed at Review Manager version 5.4. This study is prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251124631).

RESULTS: A total of 1291 records were identified, of which 11 studies met eligibility criteria, encompassing 627 patients with EOC. The pooled analysis showed that ctDNA positivity after surgery was significantly associated with worse PFS (HR 3.83; 95% CI 2.55-5.77; I²= 5% p < 0.01) and OS (HR 2.84; 95% CI 1.22-6.57; I²=0; p < 0.01) compared with ctDNA-negative patients. Similarly, post-adjuvant chemotherapy detection of ctDNA yields worse PFS (HR 4.95) and OS (HR 5.95).

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that ctDNA is a novel instrument for MRD detection, and its presence serves as a potent prognostic indicator for recurrence and mortality in ovarian cancer. These results support integrating ctDNA into clinical trial designs and highlight its potential for risk-adapted surveillance and treatment strategies.

PMID:41895358 | DOI:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2026.105300