Consensus statement on ctDNA minimal residual disease (MRD) testing in early-stage NSCLC - A Delphi study by the Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group (ATORG) - PubMed
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- #early-stage NSCLC
- #consensus recommendations
- #ctDNA MRD testing
- CtDNA-based MRD testing is an emerging tool for risk stratification and monitoring recurrence in resected early-stage NSCLC, requiring clear clinical implementation guidance.
- A Delphi study by ATORG developed 23 position statements, with nearly all achieving strong consensus across domains including assay validity, clinical application, and implementation challenges.
- Consensus highlights the need for minimum analytical performance thresholds, standardized reporting, pre-analytical guidelines, and harmonized sampling and terminology in trials to confirm prognostic value.
- Current MRD assays show high specificity and positive predictive value, but variable sensitivity prevents routine use for adjuvant therapy de-escalation outside of clinical trials.
- Broader access, sustainable funding, consensus building, and real-world data are critical for clinical adoption, with future trials needing to account for distinct biology and evolving standards of care.