ctDNA and Prognosis and Recurrence of Gastric Cancer/ Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

Statistical analysis shows that ctDNA testing has some sensitivity and good specificity for judging efficacy (complete response); however, the power to predict disease progression and death is limited; ctDNA can be used as a potential biomarker to predict recurrence of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Among patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, ctDNA is superior to those with gastric cancer alone in predicting death.

The risk assessment of literature bias suggested that the inclusion of inter-study bias was not related to reported effects, and the risk of bias in this study was small.Conclusion: This study confirmed the potential value of ctDNA in monitoring treatment response and prognosis of gastroesophageal carcinoma. ctDNA can be used as a sensitive biomarker to judge efficacy and predict tumor recurrence, but its power in predicting disease progression and death remains to be verified. ctDNA detection in esophageal carcinoma may be superior to that in gastric cancer.

There was a low risk of bias between studies included. ctDNA shows the application prospects as a new biomarker for precision medicine of gastric cancer/gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.