Diagnostics
Cell-Free DNA-Based Blood Tests for Colorectal Cancer Screening: Current Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
By Ghada Alkhawlani, Nasser Alsanea, Reem Alharbi and 7 others.
Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of rising global rates of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. CRC rates are particularly increasing among younger populations; however, the implementation of effective CRC screening programs remains limited. Colonoscopy, the gold standard CRC screening technique, is restricted by complex procedures, invasive methods, and low patient adherence. Therefore, non-invasive screening through circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA)-based blood tests is emerging as an effective alternative.
Methods
This narrative review summarizes recent advances in cfDNA-based blood tests for colorectal cancer screening and early detection. Relevant English-language publications from 2021 to 2025 were searched on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases, supplemented by examination of reference lists. The study evaluated various diagnostic performance measures [sensitivity, specificity, and AUC (area under the curve)] and compared cfDNA-based approaches with previously established screening methods.