Dynamic Surveillance of Minimal Residual Disease via a Tumor-Informed Circulating Tumor DNA Assay for Outcome Prediction in Small-Cell Lung Cancer: An Exploratory Pilot Study

Background: Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents an aggressive malignancy associated with a poor prognosis, underscoring the critical demand for enhanced monitoring methodologies. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) constitutes a promising non-invasive biomarker; however, reports employing highly sensitive tumor-informed assays in SCLC remain scarce. This investigation aimed to assess the clinical utility of a personalized ctDNA monitoring strategy for predicting therapeutic outcomes and resistanc