Peripheral and Portal VenousKRASctDNA Detection as Independent Prognostic Markers of Early Tumor Recurrence in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Abstract Background KRAS circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has shown biomarker potential for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) but has not been applied in clinical routine yet. We aim to improve clinical applicability of ctDNA detection in PDAC and to study the impact of blood-draw site and time point on the detectability and prognostic role of KRAS mutations. Methods 221 blood samples from 108 PDAC patients (65 curative, 43 palliative) were analyzed. Baseline peripheral and tumor-draining portal venous (PV), postoperative, and follow-up blood were analyzed and correlated with prognosis. Results Significantly higher KRAS mutant detection rates and copy numbers were observed in palliative compared to curative patients baseline blood (58.1% vs 24.6%; P = 0.002; and P < 0.001). Significantly higher KRAS mutant copies were found in PV blood compared to baseline (P < 0.05) samples. KRAS detection in pre- and postoperative and PV blood were significantly associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (all P < 0.015) and identified as independent prognostic markers. KRAS ctDNA status was also an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for shorter overall survival in both palliative and curative cohorts (hazard ratio [HR] 4.9, P = 0.011; HR 6.9, P = 0.008). Conclusions KRAS ctDNA detection is an independent adverse prognostic marker in curative and palliative PDAC patients—at all sites of blood draw and a strong follow-up marker. The most substantial prognostic impact was seen for PV blood, which could be an effective novel tool for identifying prognostic borderline patients—guiding future decision-making on neoadjuvant treatment despite anatomical resectability. In addition, higher PV mutant copy numbers contribute to an improved technical feasibility.