Liquid Biopsy Question?

sgold88

Hi Everyone, Just as a recap, my wife had colon cancer diagnosed in Aug 2019. Had tumour removed, then did 4 chemo treatments with FOLFOX, then they discovered 2 small liver mets in October 2019. They removed those and then she did another 8 chemo treatments with FOLFOX. Her last chemo was May 2020. She has had 2 NED scans since so, so far, so good. Her next scan is this May.

Recently we had the opportunity to do a liquid biopsy before the next scan. We figured why not? If G-d forbid there is something there, then we will know early if the liquid biopsy is accurate. Just wondering what other people are thinking? Have any of you done one? Are they worthwhile? I should add that my wife is going for 5 month scans anyway for the next couple of years. 

Thanks to all. 

Annabelle41415

Biopsy

I've never heard of a liquid biopsy, and if she has has 2 NED scans, what exactly did they biopsy?

Kim

flutemon

Me

I've had 2 of the Guardiant 360 ctDNA tests, the most recent was last summer.  I'm stage 4 and at that time was dealing only with liver mets.

I don't know if this test determines positive or negative for cancer like the Signatera test, but I do know that it gives info.  I found out I had developed a HER2 amplification that was targetable.  It helped guide my treatment.

I've read a number of people on Colontown (facebook) who use the Signatera test to monitor like CEA.  Some docs don't care for it because it will pick up cancer recurrence before it is able to show on imaging.  But lots of folks like that!

In my opinion, if I was NED (no evidence of disease) I would definitely want it!  Any tool that gives better chances of beating or managing this disease is for me.  I'm not now NED, but having another Guardian 360 done after my current round of treatment to see if the HER2 is still in play. I just had a rise in CEA and we're looking to see if it's time to move on to another treatment.

Good Luck!

sgold88

flutemon said:

Me

I've had 2 of the Guardiant 360 ctDNA tests, the most recent was last summer.  I'm stage 4 and at that time was dealing only with liver mets.

I don't know if this test determines positive or negative for cancer like the Signatera test, but I do know that it gives info.  I found out I had developed a HER2 amplification that was targetable.  It helped guide my treatment.

I've read a number of people on Colontown (facebook) who use the Signatera test to monitor like CEA.  Some docs don't care for it because it will pick up cancer recurrence before it is able to show on imaging.  But lots of folks like that!

In my opinion, if I was NED (no evidence of disease) I would definitely want it!  Any tool that gives better chances of beating or managing this disease is for me.  I'm not now NED, but having another Guardian 360 done after my current round of treatment to see if the HER2 is still in play. I just had a rise in CEA and we're looking to see if it's time to move on to another treatment.

Good Luck!

Thanks

Thank you for your reply and information. We see it the same way - basically any information is worth having. I wish you well in your ongoing battle.

sgold88

Annabelle41415 said:

Biopsy

I've never heard of a liquid biopsy, and if she has has 2 NED scans, what exactly did they biopsy?

Kim

Biopsy

The liquid biopsy is designed to pick up the tiniest amounts of cancerous elements that may not yet be visible by scans, but are, at times, evident in a blood stream. 

Pamcakes

My husband had a liquid

My husband had a liquid biopsy not long ago. They suspected his cancer returned in the portacaval lymph node. the liquid biopsy was done first since the location was a little iffy. It was determined positive and they completed the tissue biopsy. Both confirmed cancer. 

sgold88

Pamcakes said:

My husband had a liquid

My husband had a liquid biopsy not long ago. They suspected his cancer returned in the portacaval lymph node. the liquid biopsy was done first since the location was a little iffy. It was determined positive and they completed the tissue biopsy. Both confirmed cancer. 

Liq Biop

I am sorry to hear this. I wish your husband well on his journey and to you continued strength.

Annabelle41415

sgold88 said:

Biopsy

The liquid biopsy is designed to pick up the tiniest amounts of cancerous elements that may not yet be visible by scans, but are, at times, evident in a blood stream. 

Thanks

I've never heard of this, so thank you for explaining it.

Kim