New Predictive Blood Test: ctDNA

Posted by colely @colely, Jun 10 8:37am

From http://www.theguardian.com. A new ctDNA blood test identifies returning circulating tumor cells before a scan can find cancer recurrence. The old ctDNA used a technique called whole exome sequencing that typically looks for between 16 and 50 mutations. The new test uses whole genome sequencing and searches for 1,800 mutations making it more sensitive. June 2, 2024. This sounds like a real advancement! I wonder when it will be implemented in our treatment.

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colely | @colely | Jul 3 8:23am

In reply to @elizabet "Thanks for the clarification. I'm can't wait! Who is manufacturing the new one?" + (show)

I don't know. At some point there will be more information. Then there will be a determination by insurance companies as to whether they will cover it, I assume.

bianca24 | @bianca24 | Jul 5 10:06am

In reply to @kstar077 "What exactly is the blood test called? I am on Medicare and I had breast cancer...." + (show)

It’s called the Signatera Ctdna Minimal Residual Disease test. I believe they might have an agreement with certain hospitals to waive off the bills or the hospital pays, I’m not sure. I have not received a bill yet. My oncologist told me that they would take care of the bill because they have an agreement with Natera. I’m on my 4th test, so far praise and thank God, it’s been negative. This test is a game changer. I will gladly do the blood test knowing that I’m in the clear or knowing where I stand in terms or recurrences and take the next step in planning my treatment if I know far ahead of time. Ultimately, it’s another tool in our fight against this deadly disease. Thank you for sharing all your information.

leolion811 | @leolion811 | Jul 6 5:44am

I did the Signatera test for 8 times. Every time it came back negative but guess what , my breast cancer came back and Signatera didn’t pick it up. Worthless!!

colely | @colely | Jul 6 7:16am

In reply to @leolion811 "I did the Signatera test for 8 times. Every time it came back negative but guess..." + (show)

That is why the new test is such good news. It uses whole genome sequencing and not the old whole exome sequencing, as does the Signatera test. Again this is NOT the Signatera test. I don't think it is on the market, yet. I will try my best to keep on top of this new test.

bianca24 | @bianca24 | Jul 6 8:32am

In reply to @leolion811 "I did the Signatera test for 8 times. Every time it came back negative but guess..." + (show)

Can you please explain a little bit more? Is it the exact subtype that you had the first time? Or is it a new diagnosis? Did you submit your tumor from biopsy to Signatera the first time you had cancer? What was your cancer subtype the first time?

elizabet | @elizabet | Jul 6 2:44pm

In reply to @leolion811 "I did the Signatera test for 8 times. Every time it came back negative but guess..." + (show)

Eight times? At what intervals? Why so many?

leolion811 | @leolion811 | Jul 7 8:21am

Every 2 months.

leolion811 | @leolion811 | Jul 7 8:22am

In reply to @leolion811 "Every 2 months." + (show)

Because this was TNBC , very aggressive breast cancer., that’s why…

leolion811 | @leolion811 | Jul 7 8:30am

In reply to @bianca24 "Can you please explain a little bit more? Is it the exact subtype that you had..." + (show)

Dealing with my 2nd reoccurrence of TNBC right now. Same spot - local . Signatera started about 2 years after 1st diagnosis, and like I said I did the test about every 2 months and all the results were negative even when I my TNBC returned.

Just finished 30 Proton Therapy treatments - horrible side effects. And taking Xeloda for another 4 and 1/2 months.