Genomic Testing Options for Cancer

Have you heard of minimal residual disease testing? 🤔 💠 Minimal residual disease (MRD) testing is a tool that is used for finding any remaining disease following cancer treatment, monitoring response to treatment, and to guide potential adjustments to the care plan. 💠 MRD testing first achieved FDA approval for use in blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. 💠 MRD has grown in use in more recent years for solid tumors, such as breast cancer. ✔ One of the advances in cancer care is the ability to detect Circulating Tumor DNA via minimal residual disease testing. 💡 Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a DNA fragment actively secreted by tumor cells or released into the circulatory system during the process of apoptosis or necrosis of tumor cells. 💡 Frankly, this all gets a tad complex, but the takeaway is that ctDNA testing is a minimally invasive technique that can be used to characterize individual cancer biology and monitor disease. 💡 ctDNA testing is performed via a liquid biopsy - A blood sample. Obtaining blood sample is safe, inexpensive, and easy to repeat. 💡 ctDNA can detect the recurrence of cancer before it is found in imaging, such as PET/CT. 💡 The European Society Of Medical Oncology (ESMO) recommendations endorse ctDNA testing in routine clinical practice for tumor genotyping to direct molecularly targeted therapies in patients with metastatic cancer. 📝 ctDNA technologies are still being investigated, but preliminary research has demonstrated that it can be a sensitive and specific approach to breast cancer surveillance of disease recurrence. 💠 At our breast cancer clinic, we frequently utilize ctDNA tests manufactured by Guardant, Tempus, and Signatera. I think it is an exciting development in oncology treatment and I look forward to further research on its efficacy! References: 📙 National Cancer Institute 📘 Journal of Clinical Oncology 📗 Nature Partner Journals 📔 European Society Of Medical Oncology (ESMO) _____________________________________________________________________ Charlotte Goor – 🩺Registered Nurse. ⚖Legal Nurse Consultant. 📧 Charlotte@ExpertCareLNC.com 💻http://ExpertCareLNC.com

🚨 New ASCO guidelines are out for genetic testing for people with breast cancer! ⭐️ BRCA 1/2 mutation testing should be offered to ALL newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer ≤65 years which is the biggest change. ⭐️ BRCA 1/2 mutation testing should be offered for those >65 years based on personal and family history, ancestry, male sex at birth, presence of triple negative breast cancer, and eligibility for PARP inhibitor therapy. (PARP inhibitors used for high risk TNBC or HR+/HER2- disease in patients w BRCA mutations- there are specific criteria). ⭐️ All patients with recurrent breast cancer who are candidates for PARP inhibitor therapy should be offered BRCA1/2 testing, regardless of family history. ⭐️ BRCA1/2 testing should be offered to women who develop a second primary cancer in the ipsilateral or contralateral breast. ⭐️ For patients with a prior history of breast cancer and without active disease, testing should be offered to patients diagnosed ≤65 years and selectively in patients diagnosed after 65 years, if it will inform personal and family risk. ⭐️ Testing for other genes that increase breast cancer risk such as PALB2, CHEK2, ATM should be offered to those based on family and personal history. ⭐️ Patients should have access to genetic counseling. Variants of unknown significance should be followed but should not change management. These guidelines will allow more people access to genetic testing which I think is huge. Let me know what questions you have about genetic testing and these new guidelines! #breastcancer #genetictesting #brca

Genetic testing and tumor genetic profiling serve different but complementary roles in cancer care. Genetic testing in healthy individuals looks for inherited mutations—like BRCA1 or BRCA2—that increase cancer risk. This information can guide preventive steps, including enhanced screening or risk-reducing surgery. In contrast, tumor genetic profiling examines mutations within the cancer itself, identifying molecular targets for treatment. For instance, if a person with a BRCA mutation develops breast cancer, that same mutation can inform the use of therapies such as PARP inhibitors. Understanding both germline and somatic mutations allows for truly personalized care—improving outcomes and empowering patients with knowledge at every stage.