Dr. Nelson on the Future Utility of ctDNA in CRC

Douglas A. Nelson, MD, associate professor in the Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the future utility of circulating tumor (ct)DNA in colorectal cancer (CRC).

ctDNA is the future of CRC, says Nelson. The data that have been published on the use of ctDNA in CRC show curves that are widely separated, adds Nelson. Thesee data also indicate that ctDNA is a very powerful tool to detect minimal residual disease in these patients.

There is no question that this approach will be a very important component of clinical practice in the future, but exactly how it will be utilized remains unclear, concludes Nelson.