Liquid Biopsy Predicts Early Lung Cancer Relapse

Whole-genome sequencing of circulating tumor DNA could identify patients at risk of recurrence more than a year before conventional imaging

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A retrospective study analyzed 331 blood samples from 42 patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma after surgery.
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Whole-genome sequencing and an AI-supported algorithm detected circulating tumor DNA with 75% sensitivity and 83% specificity for recurrence.
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Among 12 patients with recurrence, 9 had detectable circulating tumor DNA, and 6 had a positive test a median of 16.7 months before clinical or imaging confirmation.
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Whole-genome sequencing also helped distinguish recurrent disease from a second primary lung tumor.
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The small retrospective study requires prospective validation, and further research must assess integration with imaging and effects on patient outcomes.

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