The impact of ctDNA on metastatic cancer management: Current trends and future directions

Abstract

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a transformative tool in metastatic cancer management, offering a non-invasive approach for diagnosis, monitoring, and personalized treatment. This report examines recent advancements in ctDNA technology and its impact on oncology. ctDNA enables early cancer detection with high sensitivity (up to 85 %) and specificity (95 %) and provides valuable insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy. Technological innovations, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and artificial intelligence (AI), have enhanced the accuracy of ctDNA analysis. Furthermore, ctDNA facilitates personalized treatment strategies by identifying specific genetic mutations, improving therapeutic outcomes. The growing acceptance of ctDNA-based tests, alongside ongoing research into cost reduction and expanded applications, underscores its potential to revolutionize cancer care. This report highlights current trends, recent research, and future directions for integrating ctDNA into routine clinical practice.