Dr. Azzi on the Unmet Needs the Signatera ctDNA Assay Could Fulfill in CRC

Georges Azzi, MD, co-director, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Prostate Cancer, Holy Cross Health, discusses the unmet needs the Signatera circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay could fulfill in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Currently, the field of CRC does not have an available assay to inform which patients are at a high risk of recurrence, Azzi says. Although pathological criteria are available, certain elements that can be used to inform treatment selection, such as the presence of positive lymph nodes, do not predict disease-free survival as well as tumor-informed ctDNA assays, Azzi explains.

As such, the Signatera assay is the most useful method of determining risk of recurrence in patients with CRC. The test is being utilized in the ongoing phase 2/3 CIRCULATE-US (NRG-GI008) trial, Azzi adds. Moreover, an assay such as the Signatera one could also provide insight into treatment escalation and de-escalation strategies, Azzi concludes.