| Popis: |
Colon cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed and second deadliest cancer globally (Bray et al., CA Cancer J Clin. 68:394–424, 2018). Recurrence is found to be the most common reason behind the increasing mortality rate in this disease. Customized treatment is recommended due to heterogeneity of the disease which can be attributed to its pathogenesis involving mutations, epigenetic alterations and DNA methylation. Efficacy of the treatment has to be timely monitored to avoid recurrence, and hence a lot of focus has been put into studies involving liquid biopsies wherein blood collected from the patient contain cell-free nucleic acids which can be residual tumour tissue DNA fragments (ctDNA). ctDNA is exquisitely specific for an individual’s tumour at its primary site or even if it has metastasized. Many advantages like non-invasive nature, drawing of samples multiple times and guidance to therapy especially in colon cancer have attracted many clinical studies recently. Based on the evidences, this chapter involves significance of ctDNA in treatment prognosis in colon cancer. |
