What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in predicting local regrowth and distant metastasis during nonoperative management of rectal cancer.

May 29, 2026Journal of Clinical Oncology

Association between circulating tumor DNA and local tumor regrowth and distant metastasis during nonoperative management in stage I–III rectal cancer.

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This research aims to evaluate the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in predicting local regrowth and distant metastasis during nonoperative management of rectal cancer.
Retrospective analysis of 110 patients with stage I-III rectal adenocarcinoma achieving clinical complete response after neoadjuvant therapy.
Assessment of longitudinal ctDNA status and first post-treatment ctDNA results in relation to local regrowth and distant metastasis.
Statistical analysis using Kaplan–Meier/log-rank and Fisher’s exact tests for survival and accuracy assessment.
20.9% of patients developed local regrowth and 10.9% distant metastasis over a median follow-up of 25 months.
Patients with ever positive ctDNA had worse 2-year regrowth-free survival (41.7% vs 83.9%, P=0.0002) and metastasis-free survival (41.7% vs 94.9%, P<0.0001).
CtDNA positivity indicated advanced pathological T stage in 66.7% of patients with local regrowth.

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Implication

Randomized trial investigates tumor DNA association with recurrence in rectal cancer, suggesting new monitoring strategies.

Cite This Study

Ochiai et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a192e68fab5b468c441772a https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.3615

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Association between circulating tumor DNA and local tumor regrowth and distant metastasis during nonoperative management in stage I–III rectal cancer.

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Association between circulating tumor DNA and local tumor regrowth and distant metastasis during nonoperative management in stage I–III rectal cancer.

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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