2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - ePosters-EP.06D.05 The Prognostic Role of the Dynamic Changes in the Plasma ctDNA Levels in Advanced NSCLC after IO Initiation: A Meta-Analysis

EP.06D.05 The Prognostic Role of the Dynamic Changes in the Plasma ctDNA Levels in Advanced NSCLC after IO Initiation: A Meta-Analysis

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This meta-analysis, conducted by researchers from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, investigates the prognostic significance of changes in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following the initiation of immunotherapy (IO). ctDNA is considered a promising biomarker due to its ability to reflect tumor dynamics non-invasively through liquid biopsy. However, previous research in the field suffers from methodological inconsistencies.<br /><br />The study systematically reviews existing literature using databases like PUBMED and Cochrane Library up to September 2023, following PRISMA guidelines. It examines the association between ctDNA reduction and median overall survival (mOS) and median disease-free survival (mDFS) using the Hazard Ratio (HR) metrics from selected studies. The analysis indicates that a reduction in ctDNA levels post-immunotherapy correlates statistically with improved mOS and mDFS. However, ctDNA eradication, while associated with improved survival metrics, does not show statistically significant results.<br /><br />Despite these findings, the study acknowledges various limitations, including the retrospective nature of most primary studies, incomplete patient data, selection biases, and lack of standardized re-evaluation timelines and cut-off levels for defining molecular response. These inconsistencies hinder the establishment of conclusive prognostic markers.<br /><br />Overall, the analysis underscores the potential of dynamic ctDNA changes as a biomarker for predicting treatment outcomes in advanced NSCLC, recommending further research with unified methodologies to improve reliability and clinical applicability.

Asset Subtitle

Konstantinos Syrigos

Meta Tag

Speaker Konstantinos Syrigos

Topic Pathology and Biomarkers

Keywords

ctDNA

NSCLC

immunotherapy

biomarker

liquid biopsy

prognostic significance

overall survival

disease-free survival

meta-analysis

methodological inconsistencies