SynthesisBMC cancer2025
Multiple time points for detecting circulating tumor DNA to monitor the response to neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer: a meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Post-neoadjuvant and peri-operative ctDNA-defined minimal residual disease in triple-negative breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Breast cancer research and treatment · 2026Pooled it
- Personalized whole-genome-based ctDNA dynamics during neoadjuvant therapy across breast cancer subtypes: results from MONITOR-Breast.Future oncology (London, England) · 2026Observational
- Circulating tumor DNA dynamics predict pathological response and guide therapy personalization in the neoadjuvant setting.Discover oncology · 2026Review
- Circulating tumor DNA in neoadjuvant therapy for solid tumors.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Review
- From detection to action: ctDNA-MRD surveillance and translational strategies in early breast cancer.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Review
- Circulating tumor DNA refines risk stratification of neoadjuvant therapy-resistant breast tumors.Nature communications · 2025Article
- Review
- Unveiling the global research status and intellectual map of cancer and immunosuppressants.Discover oncology · 2025Article
- The impact of liquid biopsy in breast cancer: Redefining the landscape of non-invasive precision oncology.The journal of liquid biopsy · 2025Review
- Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundNot all breast cancer (BC) patients can benefit from neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). A poor response may result in patients missing the best opportunity for treatment, ultimately leading to a poor prognosis. Thus, to identify an effective predictor that can assess and predict patient response at early time points, we focused on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which is a vital noninvasive liquid biopsy biomarker. We performed a meta-analysis to explore the predictive value of response by monitoring ctDNA at four time points of NAT using pathologic complete response (pCR) and residual cancer burden (RCB).
methodsBy searching Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science until December 24, 2023, we selected studies concerning the relationship between ctDNA and response or prognosis. We analysed the results at the following various time points: baseline (T0), first cycle of NAT (T1), mid-treatment (MT), and end of NAT (EOT). pCR and RCB were used to evaluate the response as the primary endpoint. The secondary endpoint was to investigate the relationship between ctDNA and prognosis. Odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) were used as effect indicators.
resultsThirteen reports from twelve studies were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that ctDNA negativity was associated with pCR at T1 (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.21-0.57), MT (OR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.20-0.60), and EOT (OR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.22-0.66). When RCB was used to evaluate responses, ctDNA negativity was associated with RCB-0/I at the MT (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.21-0.55) and EOT (OR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.15-0.46). Furthermore, ctDNA positivity at T1 predicted a worse prognosis for patients (HR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.29-5.75). We also performed a subgroup analysis to more accurately assess the predictive value of ctDNA for triple-negative breast cancer.
conclusionsOur meta-analysis suggested that the ctDNA status at the early stage of NAT can predict patient response, which provides evidence for adjusting personalized treatment strategies and improving patient survival. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024496465.
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