Circulating Tumour DNA After Neoadjuvant Therapy in Non-Metastatic Colon Cancer: A Systematic Review and Implications for Surgical Decision-Making
Current evidence does not support the use of ctDNA alone to guide omission of surgery after neoadjuvant therapy in non-metastatic colon cancer-even in patients who show complete pathological response. While persistent ctDNA reliably identifies patients with residual disease, ctDNA clearance lacks sufficient positive predictive value to safely forego surgery. Prospective trials with standardised ctDNA platforms and predefined non-operative management protocols are required before ctDNA-guided organ preservation can be recommended.
Authors
- Paul H. McCormick (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3531-8575)
- Hugo C. Temperley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9151-3431)
- Michael E. Kelly (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0757-6411)
- Mahmoud M. Salama (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7113-1645)
- Brian Mehigan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5602-4325)
- John O. Larkin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4218-3856)
- Charles Eddershaw
- Emily Harrold
- Charles Gillham
- Dara O. Kavanagh
- Arvin Kumar Perthiani
Institutions
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (IE)
- Trinity College Dublin (IE)
- Tallaght University Hospital (IE)
- St. James's Hospital (IE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cancers
- Published
- 2026-03-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18050815
- Primary Topic
- Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00