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Liquid Biopsy Predicts Outcomes in Resected Pancreatic Cancer

In resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), preoperative circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) positivity is a strong predictor of poor overall and recurrence-free survival.

  • Preoperative ctDNA positivity is linked to worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.53) and recurrence-free survival (HR 2.28).
  • Postoperative ctDNA positivity shows even stronger associations with worse survival outcomes (HR 5.15 overall, HR 3.12 recurrence-free).
  • Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) also indicate inferior recurrence-free survival, but further assay standardization is needed.

Surgeons should consider ctDNA testing pre- and postoperatively to better inform prognosis and treatment strategies for PDAC patients.

Journal Article by Qian J, Ceuppens S (…) Paniccia A et 6 al. in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2026. Society of Surgical Oncology.

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