The Pathologic Response Evaluation and Detection in Circulating Tumor-DNA Study: Ultrasensitive Circulating Tumor-DNA Assessment of Breast Cancer Minimal Residual Disease

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology presents findings from the PREDICT trial, which evaluated ultrasensitive circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a tool for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) in breast cancer patients. The research demonstrates the potential of liquid biopsy-based ctDNA assays to identify residual cancer cells that remain after treatment, which could help clinicians identify patients at high risk of recurrence and guide post-treatment decision-making. Detecting MRD through blood-based tests rather than imaging alone represents a significant advance in breast cancer surveillance, as it may enable earlier intervention and more personalized follow-up strategies. The study, published in one of the field's leading journals, adds to the growing body of evidence supporting ctDNA monitoring as a clinically actionable biomarker in early-stage breast cancer management.