Circulating Tumor DNA in Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Future Clinical Applications and Perspectives.

Gastric cancer (GC) is still one of the most aggressive cancers with a few targetable alterations and a dismal prognosis. A liquid biopsy allows for identifying and analyzing the DNA released from tumor cells into the bloodstream. Compared to tissue-based biopsy, liquid biopsy is less invasive, requires fewer samples, and can be repeated over time in order to longitudinally monitor tumor burden and molecular changes. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been recognized to have a prognostic role in all the disease stages of GC. The aim of this article is to review the current and future applications of ctDNA in gastric adenocarcinoma, in particular, with respect to early diagnosis, the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) following curative surgery, and in the advanced disease setting for treatment decision choice and therapeutic monitoring. Although liquid biopsies have shown potentiality, pre-analytical and analytical steps must be standardized and validated to ensure the reproducibility and standardization of the procedures and data analysis methods. Further research is needed to allow the use of liquid biopsy in everyday clinical practice.

Current and potential treatment of colorectal cancer metastasis to bone.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) with subsequent bone metastasis is associated with a poor prognosis compared with patients who do not develop bone metastasis. However, metastasis in bone is rare, contrasted with more common locations such as the liver and lungs. As a result, the treatment methods targeting CRC bone lesions are limited. This review aims to compile information regarding current and potential medical and surgical treatment methods for colorectal cancer with specific regard to bone metastasis. METHODS: A computer-based literature review of animal- and human-based studies was conducted using multiple database searches. Case reports were excluded. RESULTS: Preliminary findings demonstrate that treatments specifically targeting bone metastasis due to colorectal cancer are categorized by local vs. systemic treatment. The primary goals are the alleviation of skeletal-related events and improvement in quality of life. Current options include: chemotherapy, radiation, monoclonal antibodies, and surgery. Emerging options include intratumoral mellitin, MRgFUS, and bone microenvironment targeting. CONCLUSION: Treatment of CRC metastasis to bone is necessary to slow down metastatic progression, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life. With a possible rise in bone metastasis due to increased overall CRC survival rates, more clinical trials should be performed to address this growing concern.