Circulating Nucleic Acids in Colorectal Cancer: Diagnostic and Prognostic Value

Figure 2

CRC prognosis and treatment response based on circulating tumor nucleic acids throughout the duration of the initial CRC diagnosis, ctDNA, and ctRNA levels were elevated. Then, ctDNA and ctRNA rapidly disappear from the peripheral blood after surgery, but they rise again, resulting in an early relapse. In the absence of tumor biopsy specimens, they can also be used for cancer molecular tracking to detect MRD, monitoring therapeutic response, and predicting the risk of cancer recurrence. It was also correlated with the worst prognosis in advanced stages of colorectal cancer. In addition, there is evidence that ctDNA predicted future radiographic relapse owing to a small decrease and increase in the blood extents, respectively, after adjuvant therapy.