Circulating tumor DNA: an important tool in precision medicine for lymphoma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) was demonstrated years ago in solid tumors and represents a promising technology for the non-invasive management of cancers. In the case of Hodgkin’s lymphomas (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL), idiotype specific tumor markers are too cumbersome for general use, but recent studies have demonstrated the presence of ctDNA easily extractable from plasma, making it possible to reveal molecular profiles similar to the primary tumor.

Areas covered: In this review, the authors present the concept of liquid biopsy, the latest in technological advances enabling the simple, rapid and reproducible analysis of ctDNA in patients with lymphomas. The authors summarize the results that have demonstrated the clinical pertinence of this tool in establishing diagnostic and prognostic stratification and allowing minimal residual disease (MRD) follow-up in patients with HL and NHL, with a special focus on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Expert commentary: ctDNA analysis as the main tool to quantify somatic mutations, represents a major technological leap in the non-invasive management of lymphomas. At the dawn of the era of personalized medicine, this technology enables follow-up and treatment adaptation in real time, as well as early detection of refractory or relapsed diseases and resistance to therapeutics.

KEYWORDS:

• Circulating tumor DNA
• plasma cell-free DNA
• lymphoma
• precision medicine
• liquid biopsy
• somatic mutations

Declaration of Interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.