Objective:

To evaluate the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in guiding treatment decisions for older women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• ctDNA status closely tracked with imaging results.
• Persistent ctDNA after 6 months indicated tumor progression.
• No patients with negative ctDNA at baseline experienced progression.
• Pretreatment ctDNA positivity was linked to increased progression risk.
• ctDNA testing allows for decentralized monitoring through routine blood draws.

Interpretation:

ctDNA testing may serve as a minimally invasive biomarker to stratify treatment and monitor disease progression in older breast cancer patients, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures.

Limitations:

• The study involved a small sample size.
• Findings are not yet practice-changing.

Conclusion:

If validated in larger trials, ctDNA testing could lead to more personalized and less invasive management of breast cancer in elderly patients.

Sources:

• Clinical Cancer Research
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