Current status of circulating tumor DNA application in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common oncological diseases worldwide, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. With the advancement of modern technologies, new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors are being actively developed across the globe. The development and implementation of minimally invasive diagnostic methods, as well as tools for early disease detection, represent key objectives in contemporary oncology.

Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in the minimally invasive liquid biopsy technology, which is based on the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in biological fluids. This method, allowing for the assessment of ctDNA level dynamics, contributes to improving diagnostic accuracy and selecting more effective treatment strategies. Moreover, ctDNA enables the timely detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) and the prevention of disease recurrence.

Modern analytical techniques such as digital PCR (dPCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) ensure rapid and precise detection of driver mutations. Analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic studies in CRC demonstrates that ctDNA is among the most significant biomarkers. Promising evidence suggests that ctDNA may serve as a potential tool for CRC screening, although further validation is still required. The implementation of this method into clinical practice will enable preventive and personalized treatment approaches, which, in turn, may reduce disease incidence and mortality rates.

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