SynthesisBMC cancer2025
Cerebrospinal fluid Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker for CNS metastases in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing CSF ctDNA and traditional methods.
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.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- [Liquid Biopsy Revolutionizes the Precise Management of Tumors Across the Entire Course: Current Situation and Future Prospects].Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition · 2026Pooled it
- Clinical Implementation and Oncological Relevance of Molecular Profiling in Brain Metastases Patients-A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.International journal of cancer · 2026Article
- Delayed Occurrence of Lung Cancer Leptomeningeal Metastasis and Era-Associated Post-LM Survival: A 14-Year Single-Center Cohort Study.Thoracic cancer · 2026Article
- [Research Progress on Circulating Tumor DNA Status and Postoperative Central Nervous System Recurrence Risk and Overall Survival in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer].Zhongguo fei ai za zhi = Chinese journal of lung cancer · 2026Review
- Durable Intracranial Control Beyond Five Years in EGFR Wild-Type Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Sequential Brain Metastases Managed with Multimodal Therapy: A Case Report.Reports (MDPI) · 2026Article
- Variant Allelic Frequency to Track Therapy Response and Evaluate Leptomeningeal Disease in Metastatic Central Nervous System Cancers.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Circulating tumor DNA in lung cancer immunotherapy: prognostic marker today, predictive tool tomorrow?Frontiers in immunology · 2026Review
- Liquid biopsy biomarkers for cancer detection, treatment monitoring, and clinical outcome prediction.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2026Review
- Unravelling genomic differences in cerebrospinal fluid: patients with lung cancer with combined brain parenchymal and meningeal metastasis versus exclusive meningeal metastasis.Journal of neuro-oncology · 2025Article
- The value of cerebrospinal fluid cytology in the diagnosis of atypical medulloblastoma: a case report and review of the literature.Frontiers in medicine · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundBrain metastasis is a common and serious complication in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), often associated with poor prognosis. While traditional diagnostic approaches such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology are commonly used for detection, these methods have notable limitations. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in CSF has been reported as a superior alternative. This study evaluates the diagnostic test accuracy of CSF ctDNA for CNS metastases detection in patients with NSCLC, in comparison to CSF cytology, while also examining its potential prognostic value.
methodsA systematic search was conducted to identify studies that reported CSF ctDNA detection in NSCLC patients with brain or leptomeningeal metastases. Pooled detection rates, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios were meta-analyzed. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using standard statistical methods. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were applied to identify and address source of high heterogeneity.
resultsTwenty-six studies were included. The pooled detection rate of CSF ctDNA (86%, 95% CI: 0.79-0.91) was significantly higher than CSF cytology (60%, 95% CI: 36% % 81%). Diagnostic test accuracy analysis for CSF ctDNA showed high pooled sensitivity (91.8%, 95% CI: 74.2%-97.8%), specificity (93.5%, 95% CI: 76.7% - 98.5%) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) (93.51%, 95% CI: 13.85-631.44). Additionally, CSF ctDNA detected clinically relevant mutations that correlated with poorer overall survival, highlighting its prognostic potential.
conclusionCSF ctDNA demonstrates superior diagnostic accuracy for detecting CNS metastases in NSCLC compared to CSF cytology. Its molecular insights may support earlier detection and inform personalized treatment strategies. However, further validation in clinical settings is required.
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