Cancer can come back in many high-risk kidney cancer patients even after a successful operation.

This is because tiny tumour cells can remain in body undetectable by scans.

This is why immunotherapy is given to patients after successful surgery in high risk kidney cancer patients. ( Pembrolizumab).

New technology enables detection of tumour DNA ( genetic material) in blood circulation.

In the study, which evaluated a immunotherapy drug called Pembrolizumab, the investigators assessed the stored blood samples of kidney cancer patients.

They found tumour DNA circulating in the blood stream in up to 20% of patients with high risk cancer. These patients did not do well over long term.

Patients who were able clear the tumour DNA from circulation at the 15 week period ( either spontaneously or with help of immunotherapy) did better .

This is an evolving area . The routine use of tests for detection of tumour DNA is likely to be one more common in future.

The results of this study are being presented at the Annual meeting of American Association of Clinical oncology in Chicago ( June 2026).

References

ASCO 2026 Annual meeting. ctDNA analysis in participants with renal cell carcinoma treated with adjuvant pembrolizumab or placebo in the KEYNOTE-564 trial.Toni K. Choueiri, MD, FASCODana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School. Abstract 4502

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