Circulating tumor DNA, more commonly referred to as ctDNA, has emerged as an attractive and potentially highly sensitive biomarker for patients with colorectal cancer. But what exactly is ctDNA, does it have any prognostic value for patients with colorectal liver metastasis, and how can it be incorporated into the management of said patients? In this episode from the HPB team at Behind the Knife, listen in on the discussion about ctDNA and its role in the perioperative management of colorectal liver metastasis.  

Hosts
Anish J. Jain MD (@anishjayjain) is a T32 Research Fellow at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center within the Department of Surgical Oncology.

Timothy E. Newhook MD, FACS (@timnewhook19) is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Surgical Oncology. He is also the associate program director of the HPB fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. 

Jean-Nicolas Vauthey MD, FACS (@VautheyMD) is Professor of Surgery and Chief of the HPB Section, as well as the Dallas/Fort Worth Living Legend Chair of Cancer Research in the Department of Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Learning Objectives:
-Develop an understanding of what circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is. 
-Develop an understanding of what makes ctDNA unique from other “tumor markers” like CEA.
-Develop an understanding of the prognostic value of ctDNA for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). 
-Develop an understanding of the current role of ctDNA in the perioperative treatment of patients with CRLM.
-Develop an understanding of how ctDNA can be incorporated into future treatment algorithms for patients undergoing hepatic resection for CRLM.

Papers Referenced (in the order they were mentioned in the episode):

1)    Newhook TE, Overman MJ, Chun YS, et al. Prospective Study of Perioperative Circulating Tumor DNA Dynamics in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastases. Ann Surg. 2023;277(5):813-820.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35797554/

2)    Nishioka Y, Chun YS, Overman MJ, et al. Effect of Co-mutation of RAS and TP53 on Postoperative ctDNA Detection and Early Recurrence after Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastases. J Am Coll Surg. 2022;234(4):474-483.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35290266/

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