Molecular Residual Disease Assessment in a Representative Diverse Population of Patients With Early-stage Breast Cancer
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine how circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), a sign of minimal residual disease (MRD), is detectable after surgery in patients with early HR+/HER2- breast cancer that has spread to 1-3 lymph nodes. Researchers aim to understand if ctDNA detection can identify patients at higher risk of recurrence and guide better treatment decisions. A key aspect is the inclusion of a dedicated cohort of African American/Black women, a group underrepresented in molecular residual disease (MRD) research despite experiencing more aggressive breast cancers. This study will correlate ctDNA results with treatment patterns (radiotherapy, systemic therapy) and outcomes (recurrence-free and overall survival) in both non-African American and African American participants.
Description
Ultimately, the goal is to improve treatment strategies for this patient population. Detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) is a promising approach to identifying patients at increased risk of recurrence after definitive therapy, who may benefit from the escalation of their treatment and remain potentially curable with effective local and systemic therapy. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), found in blood plasma, has recently emerged as a noninvasive approach for disease monitoring and detecting MRD through tracking tumor mutations. Nodal involvement is correlated with ctDNA positivity across mu…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
In order to participate in this study, a subject must meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below. Inclusion Criteria: 1. Written informed consent obtained to participate in the study and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information. 2. Subjects are willing and able to comply with study procedures based on the judgment of the investigator. 3. Age ≥ 18 years at time of consent. 4. Subject must have had surgical intervention and must have sufficient archival specimens from either the primary tumor or a lymph node for ctDNA assay development, as specified in the lab ma…
Interventions
- Diagnostic TestCirculating tumor DNA
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a noninvasive prognostic biomarker for disease monitoring. ). Blood collection for ctDNA testing will be performed at the time of enrollment (prior to initiation of adjuvant therapy), and every three months thereafter.
Location
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, North Carolina