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Tyerman et al. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2022;8:29 Journal of Cancer
DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2022.20
Metastasis and Treatment

Review Open Access

Utility of circulating tumor DNA for predicting
prognosis in the management of resectable

pancreatic cancer

1
4
2
1
Zachary Tyerman , Emily Ambler , Cary Jo R. Schlick , Felix Nwajei , Akhil Chawla 1,2,3
1
Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
2
Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group, Northwestern
University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60190, USA.
3
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
4
Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Correspondence to: Dr. Akhil Chawla, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg
School of Medicine, 4405 Weaver Parkway, Warrenville, IL 60521, USA. E-mail: Akhil.Chawla@northwestern.edu
How to cite this article: Tyerman Z, Ambler E, Schlick CJR, Nwajei F, Chawla A. Utility of circulating tumor DNA for predicting
prognosis in the management of resectable pancreatic cancer. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2022;8:29.
https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2022.20
Received: 21 Feb 2022 First Decision: 22 Apr 2022 Revised: 7 May 2022 Accepted: 4 Jul 2022 Published: 29 Jul 2022

Academic Editors: Marco Falasca, Antonio Facciorusso Copy Editor: Fangling Lan Production Editor: Fangling Lan

Abstract
Background: The measurement of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been studied in several malignancies,
including metastatic pancreatic cancer, but less is known about its utility in monitoring treatment response and
recurrence in resectable pancreatic cancer. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature
examining the association of ctDNA with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival. Results: Five articles met
our exclusion criteria. Baseline and/or postoperative ctDNA was found to be associated with decreased OS and
recurrence-free survival. Discussion: ctDNA has the potential to be used as a prognostic biomarker and to guide
therapy in resectable pancreatic cancer.

Keywords: Pancreatic cancer, circulating tumor DNA, prognosis, survival

INTRODUCTION
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United

© The Author(s) 2022. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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