A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Circulating tumor DNA is a prognostic biomarker in metastatic melanoma patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy and BRAF inhibitor
Authors: Mattila Kalle E., Mäkelä Siru, Kytölä Soili, Andersson Emma, Vihinen Pia, Ramadan Susan, Skyttä Tanja, Tiainen Leena, Vuoristo Meri-Sisko, Tyynelä-Korhonen Kristiina, Koivunen Jussi, Kohtamäki Laura, Aittomäki Kristiina, Hernberg Micaela
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Acta Oncologica
Journal name in source: ACTA ONCOLOGICA
Journal acronym: ACTA ONCOL
Volume: 61
Issue: 10
First page : 1263
Last page: 1267
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0284-186X
eISSN: 1651-226X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2022.2137693
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2022.2137693
Background: Detectable circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been associated with worse prognosis in melanoma patients.
Material and methods: We studied plasma ctDNA as a prognostic biomarker in 19 patients with metastatic melanoma and a detectable tumor mutation (13 BRAF, 5 NRAS, and 1 KRAS). Patients had received chemotherapy, interferon-alpha, and vemurafenib in a prospective clinical trial. Mutant allele frequency (MAF %) was determined with droplet digital PCR from pretreatment and sequential plasma samples.
Results: Higher pretreatment plasma ctDNA levels (MAF >= 3%) and detectable plasma ctDNA levels (MAF >0%) at the time of radiologically confirmed best objective response were associated with poor prognosis even when accounting for other relevant prognostic factors including performance status, tumor mutation, metastasis stage, and lactate dehydrogenase levels in multivariable analysis.
Conclusion: Higher pretreatment plasma ctDNA levels and sustained detectable plasma ctDNA levels during treatment indicated poor prognosis in metastatic melanoma patients.
