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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leolion811 | @leolion811 | Jul 13 12:11pm

In reply to @anjalima "Please let us know when you find it. I’m certainly interested." + (show)

My oncologist is reaching out to Guardian for their reoccurrence test!!

anjalima | @anjalima | Jul 13 12:52pm

In reply to @leolion811 "My oncologist is reaching out to Guardian for their reoccurrence test!!" + (show)

Thank you.

louisejewell | @louisejewell | Oct 29 6:02am

In reply to @elizabet "The test is available for clinical and research use and is covered by Medicare for patients..." + (show)

That's what I read too. I'm on Libtayo immunotherapy and just had my first ctDNA blood test at my recent infusion. I don't know if its the new or old version, I'll have to ask. But told by my oncologist that they have a tumor sample from my March '24 surgery. Anxious to hear results.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 29 9:32am

In reply to @louisejewell "That's what I read too. I'm on Libtayo immunotherapy and just had my first ctDNA blood..." + (show)

Isn’t it amazing that this is available to us now. Even 20 years ago feels like the dark ages in breast cancer.
Will you come back and let us know how that biopsy came back?

louisejewell | @louisejewell | Oct 30 8:49am

In reply to @auntieoakley "Isn’t it amazing that this is available to us now. Even 20 years ago feels like..." + (show)

would love to know if others with squamous cell cancer are using this test. Yes, waiting for my first report on the ctDNA test.

lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | Oct 30 11:35am

In reply to @louisejewell "would love to know if others with squamous cell cancer are using this test. Yes, waiting..." + (show)

Hi! @louisejewell:

I am not sure whether my case experience is related to what you are asking; but strange things happened in life and here's mine...

My excellent PCP discovered that I had Squamous cell carcinoma back in December of 2016 during my annual physical exam; after it was confirmed by 2 pathologists we had Surgical excision to remove this rapid growing tumor on my chest in early 2017. Naively I never thought anything about it, for we thought we took care of it all! Fast forward to last November, 2023, the same wonderful PCP found out that I had a suspicious lump on my breast near that old site of Squamous cell carcinoma used to be; and sure enough, it was confirmed as IDC after biopsy; thus led us to where I am today. But I was reassured by my surgical oncologist (who also performed the first surgery to remove my squamous cell carcinoma) that my 2 cancers are not related because they have completely different DNAs. None of my oncologists or any other doctors have even mentioned this new ctDNA test to me. Just like all of you, my comrades in fighting the disease of cancer, I am looking forward to having this new test tool to become available for all cancer patients!

Best wishes to you all, my friends; wishing you all with health, peace, love and happiness to enjoy your families!

lilacs777 | @lilacs777 | Oct 30 1:57pm

Does anyone know how this new Guardian ctDNA differs from the one available from Natera - its called Signatera, they make a custom ctDNA test based off your tumor slides and then look for the ctDNA at regular intervals from your blood samples. I wonder if they're equally accurate or not?