Predictive Value of Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) and Neutrophil To Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) in Patients with Colon and Gastric Cancer: Case Reports

Monitoring disease progression and adjusting treatment based on biomarkers is essential in oncology. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is an emerging biomarker used for early detection of recurrence and monitoring response to treatment, while the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a recognized inflammatory marker for oncological prognosis. The aim of this study was to report two clinical cases and to assess the efficiency of ctDNA and NLR in guiding cancer treatments. These cases indicated that ctDNA testing may be more accurate than NLR assessment for monitoring treatment response in patients with colon or gastric cancer. Consequently, ctDNA may serve as a pivotal instrument in the surveillance and customization of oncological treatments, transcending the constraints of conventional inflammatory markers.