ctDNA and CEA lead times (months) in patients with relapsing disease
| Patient | Lead time* | Δlead time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ctDNA | CEA | ctDNA—CEA | |
| 4 | 15 | 3 | 12 |
| 8 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 10 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 15 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 16 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| 18 | 2 | 11 | −9 |
| Average† | 10 | 3.5 | 6.5 |
*Lead time compared with the conventional follow-up.
†ctDNA lead times are statistically different from CEA lead times (Mann–Whitney, p=0.037).
CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen; ctDNA, circulating tumour DNA.