Dr. Lenz on the Promise of ctDNA in the mCRC Treatment Paradigm

Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD, FACP, a professor of medicine; J. Terrence Lanni Chair in Gastrointestinal Cancer Research; and co-director of the University of Southern California (USC) Center for Molecular Pathway and Drug Discovery, at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the promise of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in colorectal cancer.

ctDNA has the potential to change the CRC treatment paradigm, according to Lenz. This technology allows for the implementation of real-time molecular monitoring into the treatment strategy of these patients; it can also be used to identify the molecular makeup of the tumor at the time of treatment, explains Lenz.

ctDNA can be used to develop further understanding regarding why some treatments are not successful; it can also identify new targets that can be utilized to make better treatment decisions for patients, Lenz adds. The use of ctDNA is becoming more common in academic centers and community practices, and as such, possesses the potential to become a standard technology in clinical practice, Lenz concludes.