In a phase II, multicenter trial, researchers from the Canadian Cancer Trial Group will first investigate whether changes in circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) can better predict immunotherapy response than radiographic assessments. They will then examine whether ctDNA patterns can guide treatment decisions for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

The trial will be conducted at six sites in Canada and the U.S. and is expected to be completed in December 2021. It is being chaired by Dr. Valsamo Anagnostou, PhD, an assistant professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins whose previous research has demonstrated that ctCNA levels can predict clinical response.