Dr. Hubbard on the Barriers of Widely Implementing ctDNA ​Testing in CRC

Joleen M. Hubbard, MD, associate professor of oncology, consultant, practice chair, and vice chair, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, discusses the barriers of implementing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) into widespread clinical practice in colorectal cancer (CRC).

The field of CRC is developing a greater understanding of how to use technology and ensure technology is benefiting patients in terms of cost-benefit ratio, Hubbard says. Moreover, ctDNA testing is not free and is typically paid for by the health care system, Hubbard adds. Although the technology is welcome in CRC, it is important to consider whether it is helping patients, Hubbard explains.

Ultimately, whether the ability to act upon the results obtained from ctDNA testing outweigh the resources needed to conduct testing remains an unanswered question, Hubbard explains. As such, more data are needed to determine the clinical benefit of this technology before it can be widely implemented in CRC, Hubbard concludes.