DNA liquid biopsy-based prediction of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism

Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major source of morbidity and mortality. Identifying high-risk patients for prophylactic anticoagulation is challenging. Preliminary data suggest that circulating cell-free DNA is thrombogenic. A study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) investigated the association of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and risk of VTE. In the discovery cohort of 4,141 patients with various cancer types ctDNA detection was associated with development of VTE. A machine learning model trained on liquid biopsy data outperformed previous risk scores. Among real-world patients in the discovery cohort, anticoagulation was associated with lower VTE rates if ctDNA was detected, but not if ctDNA was undetectable (ac: anticoagulantia). The authors conclude that these results provide preliminary evidence that liquid biopsies may improve VTE risk stratification among cancer patients.