Circulating tumor DNA 1 article

Plasma ctDNA analysis helps define circulating tumor DNA as a circulating DNA biomarker concept with a bounded biological or analytical function. Its scientific boundary is set by plasma ctDNA analysis, liquid biopsy biomarker and somatic variant detection in blood, while molecular residual disease monitoring identifies one research or clinical setting in which the concept is encountered. Circulating tumor DNA is an analyte, not a test; assays such as Guardant360 and Signatera use ctDNA for different clinical purposes.

Genomics & Multiomics

September 25, 2026, 11:41 AM · 5 mins read

Blood DNA methylation patterns flag cancer risk years before diagnosis

Researchers have found that certain DNA methylation patterns in blood can point to a higher risk for prostate and breast cancer up to eight years before diagnosis. This could open the door to much earlier detection.