Dynamic Plasma KRAS ctDNA Profiling Identifies Treatment Response and Nascent Resistance in Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Simple Summary Mutations in the KRAS gene are common in metastatic lung cancer and may influence how the disease behaves and responds to treatment. In this study, we compared KRAS mutations detected in tumor tissue with those found in blood samples using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), a minimally invasive “liquid biopsy” method. We found moderate agreement between tissue and blood tests, but when the same mutation was detected, the results were fully consistent. Patients with KRAS mutations detected in blood had shorter survival and faster disease progression. In some cases, changes in ctDNA appeared before clinical signs of progression, suggesting that blood-based monitoring could help track disease in real time and improve patient management.