Circulating tumor DNA (circulating biomarkers) is a liquid biopsy biomarker class that reflects tumor-specific genomic alterations and is used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment guidance, with a primary role in detecting minimal residual disease, identifying early molecular relapse, and monitoring therapeutic response. Its clinical utility is highlighted in bladder cancer, locally advanced rectal cancer, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, where it is being used to refine perioperative and adjuvant treatment decisions. Recent literature emphasizes dynamic, postoperative use for tailoring therapy, including treatment intensification or de-escalation, while also noting that diagnostic sensitivity remains moderate. In bladder cancer, it is described as a postoperative biomarker for ongoing adjuvant strategy selection, and in ESCC it is proposed to optimize precision perioperative treatment. Overall, ctDNA is emerging as a key circulating biomarker for precision oncology, especially when serial sampling is used to track molecular response and relapse.
Bladder cancer
- circulating biomarkers in bladder cancer reflect tumor-specific genomic alterations and are used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment guidance. (PMID:41933678)
- Postoperative ctDNA is being used to tailor adjuvant approaches in bladder cancer studies. (PMID:41774881)
- The literature frames ctDNA as part of emerging evidence for personalized therapy in bladder cancer. (PMID:41933678)
Rectal cancer
- ctDNA is described as a critical biomarker for minimal residual disease monitoring in locally advanced rectal cancer. (PMID:41978391)
- It is used to guide treatment intensification or de-escalation based on residual molecular disease status. (PMID:41978391)
- Precision treatment strategies for locally advanced rectal cancer increasingly incorporate ctDNA to improve patient selection. (PMID:41978391)
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
- ctDNA is proposed as a dynamic biomarker to refine patient selection in perioperative ESCC management. (PMID:41978394)
- It is being explored to optimize precision perioperative treatment strategies in the immunotherapy era. (PMID:41978394)
- The biomarker is positioned as part of evolving clinical strategies for ESCC treatment planning. (PMID:41978394)
Proteomics and biomarker workflows
- An orthogonal extraction workflow for high-depth plasma proteomics explicitly included circulating biomarkers, supporting broader plasma-based biomarker analysis. (PMID:41944463)
- This workflow was designed for low microliter-scale samples and maintained metabolomic compatibility. (PMID:41944463)