Analysis of cell-free circulating tumor DNA in 419 patients with glioblastoma and other primary brain tumors

AIM: Genomically matched trials in primary brain tumors (PBTs) require recent tumor sequencing. We evaluated whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could facilitate genomic interrogation in these patients. METHODS: Data from 419 PBT patients tested clinically with a ctDNA NGS panel at a CLIA-certified laboratory were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients (50%) had ≥1 somatic alteration detected. Detection was highest in meningioma (59%) and gliobastoma (55%). Single nucleotide variants were detected in 61 genes, with amplifications detected in ERBB2, MET, EGFR and others. CONCLUSION: Contrary to previous studies with very low yields, we found half of PBT patients had detectable ctDNA with genomically targetable off-label or clinical trial options for almost 50%. For those PBT patients with detectable ctDNA, plasma cfDNA genomic analysis is a clinically viable option for identifying genomically driven therapy options.