Blood-Based Biomarkers To Identify And Monitor Recurrent Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

ObjectivesThe detection of endometrial cancer recurrence is primarily through patient reported symptoms and can occur many years after primary treatment. Investigation of suspected endometrial cancer recurrence requires clinical examination, imaging, and if a lesion is identified a biopsy for pathological analysis. A blood-based biomarker could support the identification and confirmation of endometrial cancer recurrence. MethodsA systematic review was undertaken to identify studies that reported the use of biomarkers in the monitoring and/or diagnosis of endometrial cancer recurrence (PROSPERO registration CRD42021226204). MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and OpenGrey were searched up to 15th November 2024. Studies were assessed using QUADAS-2. Meta-analysis of sensitivity and specificity was carried out using Bayesian random effects univariate meta-analytic models for sensitivity and specificity individually. ResultsOf the 10,643 references identified, 142 studies underwent full-text assessment and data was extracted from 25 studies. CA125, HE4, circulating free or tumour DNA (cf/ctDNA), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were the most extensively studied biomarkers. Although ten studies investigated the use of more than one biomarker, the majority were comparing rather than combining their diagnostic ability. Sensitivity was highest for cf/ctDNA, 0.87 (95% CrI: 0.63, 0.99), followed by HE4, 0.74 (95% CrI 0.51-0.90). Specificity was highest for CA125; 0.91 (95% CrI: 0.77, 0.99) followed by cf/ctDNA 0.89 (95% CrI: 0.63-0.99). Conclusionscf/ctDNA had had superior diagnostic accuracy to detect endometrial cancer recurrence compared to CA125 and HE4. Given the concerning rise in endometrial cancer mortality, future research should focus on a potential role for a blood-based biomarker in facilitating the identification of endometrial cancer recurrence and the impact on survival following recurrence. KEY MESSAGESO_ST_ABSWhat is already known on this topicC_ST_ABSBlood-based biomarkers have the potential to monitor and/or detect endometrial cancer recurrence. What this study addscirculating free/tumour DNA had had superior diagnostic accuracy to detect endometrial cancer recurrence compared to other blood-based biomarkers for example CA125 and HE4 How this study might affect research, practice or policythe results indicate a potential role for circulating free/tumour DNA in detecting endometrial cancer.