Circulating Tumor DNA, an Emerging Prognostic Marker
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Learn from two expert advanced practitioners in the field of metastatic colorectal cancer as they discuss the role that ctDNA plays in improving treatment for patients with mCRC. Heather Greene, MSN, FNP, AOCNP, and Kevin Krise, MPA, PA-C, review the ways that testing for ctDNA can help inform a care team when a patient’s imaging isn’t telling the whole story. They share how their practices determine when to use ctDNA testing, how they explain its uses and limitations to their patients, and what NCCN guidelines say about the usefulness of this testing.
Meet the faculty
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Heather Greene
MSN, FNP, AOCNP
West Cancer Center
Heather has been an oncology nurse practitioner for more than two decades managing a variety of outpatient medical oncology patients. She is a sub-investigator on several protocols and mentors and guides over 40 APPs in their role and practice. She has co-authored many journal articles, spoken at numerous conferences, and is co-chairing the Annual West Oncology Conference: Updates for Advanced Practitioners and Nurses.
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Kevin Krise
MPA, PA-C
Northwestern Medical Group, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
Kevin is the advanced practice provider manager of the Ambulatory Hematology/Oncology team. He precepts APP students and new-hire APPs, and presents oncology-related lectures. He previously worked at the Clatterbridge Cancer Center in Liverpool, England, for two years as part of the National Physician Associate Expansion Program, which aimed to grow and develop the physician assistant role in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
References
- GenomeWeb. NCCN calls CTDNA emerging colon cancer prognostic marker, does not back use outside clinical trials | GenomeWeb. GenomeWeb. https://www.genomeweb.com/cancer/nccn-calls-ctdna-emerging-colon-cancer-prognostic-marker-does-not-back-use-outside-clinical#:~:text=There%20are%20further%20drawbacks%2C%20it,trial%2C%22%20the%20panel%20said. Published January 30, 2024.
- Dasari A, Guo Y, Kopetz S, et al. Colon adjuvant chemotherapy based on evaluation of residual disease (CIRCULATE-US): NRG-GI008. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2023;41(16_suppl):TPS3634. doi:10.1200/jco.2023.41.16_suppl.tps3634
- Kasi PM, Aushev VN, Ensor J, et al. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for informing adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in stage II/III colorectal cancer (CRC): Interim analysis of BESPOKE CRC study. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2024;42(3_suppl):9. doi:10.1200/jco.2024.42.3_suppl.9
- Morris VK, Yothers G, Kopetz S, et al. Phase II results of circulating tumor DNA as a predictive biomarker in adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II colon cancer: NRG-GI005 (COBRA) phase II/III study. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2024;42(3_suppl):5. doi:10.1200/jco.2024.42.3_suppl.5