ctDNA testing shows promise for renal cell carcinoma and germ cell tumors despite current limitations

Experts discussed how circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) monitoring, long used in bladder cancer, is being explored for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and germ cell tumors.

In RCC, low tumor shedding has limited ctDNA use, but newer assays and complementary markers such as KIM-1 are beginning to aid risk stratification and predict recurrence.

For germ cell tumors, ctDNA combined with microRNA‑based tests shows strong prognostic value, particularly after surgery and when assessing residual disease.

Both approaches are still investigational, and clinicians emphasized the need for larger prospective studies before routine adoption.