We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Circulating Tumor DNA Following Surgery Predicts Bladder Cancer Recurrence

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Jul 2021
A blood test that detects circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) predicts risk of bladder cancer recurrence following surgery and can be used to guide precision treatment of the disease. More...


Worldwide, there were approximately 573,000 cases of bladder cancer with about 212,000 deaths in 2020. Surgery, which is the usual first treatment for the disorder, often leaves behind some cancer cells, molecular residual disease (MRD), which can regenerate the tumor. Rather than just waiting to see if the cancer returns following surgery, researchers are developing minimally invasive approaches for detection of MRD after surgery to identify patients who are at risk for metastatic relapse.

In this regard, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) holds promise as a biomarker for molecular residual disease and relapse. This follows from studies showing that liquid biopsy analysis of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from peripheral blood could be a valuable diagnostic tool in oncology, since sample collection is quick and minimally invasive. In cancer patients, cfDNA consists in part of cancer-derived circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and it has been shown that tumor-related genetic and epigenetic alterations can be detected by analyzing cfDNA in cancer patients. As a consequence, cfDNA analysis holds great promise for precision oncology and personalized therapies, and is currently being evaluated in a broad range of clinical studies.

To test for MRD in bladder cancer patients following surgery, investigators at Queen Mary University of London (United Kingdom) used a ctDNA liquid biopsy approach to evaluate treatment outcomes in 581 individuals who were enrolled in a randomized phase III trial and a phase II study, which investigated whether the drug atezolizumab could reduce cancer recurrence in high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma.

Atezolizumab is a fully humanized, engineered monoclonal antibody of IgG1 isotype against the protein programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). It is used to treat urothelial carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The drug’s most common adverse side effects include urinary tract infection, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, and infections.

Results obtained by this study revealed that patients with ctDNA-positive blood tests after surgery were at higher risk of cancer recurrence than those who were ctDNA-negative. Treatment with atezolizumab did not significantly improve disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) in the whole study population; however, in the ctDNA-positive subgroup of patients evaluated in this study, treatment with atezolizumab compared with observation alone significantly improved DFS and OS. The outcomes in patients who were ctDNA-negative did not appear to differ whether they received atezolizumab or not.

First author Dr. Tom Powles, professor of genitourinary oncology at Queen Mary University of London, said, "These novel findings demonstrate ctDNA as a marker for residual disease and response to atezolizumab. We also found ctDNA measurement to be more accurate than traditional radiology at identifying disease relapse. These findings may change our understanding of post-surgical cancer care and, if validated in this setting as well as across tumor types, they may also change clinical practice."

The study was published in the June 16, 2021, online edition of the journal Nature.

Related Links:
Queen Mary University of London


Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
ESR Analyzer
TEST1 2.0
Rapid Molecular Testing Device
FlashDetect Flash10
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Automated cell imaging discriminates CD8+ T cells according to natalizumab treatment outcome in MS patients (B Chaves et al., Nat Commun 16, 5533 (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60224-3)

Novel Tool Predicts Most Effective Multiple Sclerosis Medication for Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune and degenerative neurological disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to motor, cognitive, and mental impairments. Symptoms can include... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The SWITCH hybrid pipette is designed to simplify and accelerate pipetting tasks (Photo courtesy of INTEGRA)

Hybrid Pipette Combines Manual Control with Fast Electronic Aliquoting

Manual pipettes offer the control needed for delicate tasks such as mixing or supernatant removal, but typically fall short in repetitive workflows like aliquoting. Electronic pipettes solve this problem... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: ELITechGroup’s unique Real-Time PCR technologies include the revolutionary Minor Groove Binder (Photo courtesy of ELITechGroup)

ELITech and Hitachi High-Tech to Develop Automated PCR Testing System for Infectious Diseases

Molecular testing has become central to diagnosing and monitoring infectious diseases by analyzing genetic information. The use of PCR during the COVID-19 pandemic showed its value, but traditional systems... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.