Longitudinal BRAF ctDNA monitoring in melanoma reflects disease status and predicts relapse.

Cohort studyJournal of dermatological science· Jul 2026

Longitudinal BRAF ctDNA monitoring in melanoma reflects disease status and predicts relapse.

Daniel Rizo-Potau, Anton Forniés-Mariné, Michelle Aguilar … Joan Anton Puig-Butillé

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Skin Cancer & MelanomaCohort studyPrognosisQ1IF 3.1

Detectable ctDNA during melanoma surveillance is associated with much higher relapse hazard

Longitudinal BRAF ctDNA monitoring in melanoma reflects disease status and predicts relapse.

Daniel Rizo-Potau … Joan Anton Puig-Butillé

Journal of dermatological science · Jul 2026 · Q1 in Dermatology

Background

Early detection of melanoma relapse after curative-intent surgery remains challenging, and routine follow-up relies on imaging and imperfect serum biomarkers.

Purpose

To assess whether longitudinal BRAF-mutant circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) reflects disease status and whether time-updated ctDNA detection and concentration are associated with relapse hazard during post-resection surveillance.

Methods

We conducted a prospective real-world cohort study including 127 AJCC stage II-IV melanoma patients with tumour-confirmed BRAF V600-mutant melanoma.

Results

detectable ctDNA sharply raises relapse risk during surveillance

OR by subgroup · 95% CI

More results

ctDNA detection was higher in locoregional disease (OR 5.90, 95% CI 2.34-14.88; P < 0.001) and metastatic disease (OR 7.21, 95% CI 2.86-18.21; P < 0.001) than in no evidence of disease.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Longitudinal BRAF p. V600E/K/R ctDNA monitoring reflects disease status and identifies surveillance intervals with increased relapse risk, despite limited sensitivity.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

These findings support further refinement of ctDNA-based approaches to complement standard melanoma follow-up.

Longitudinal BRAF ctDNA monitoring in melanoma reflects disease status and predicts relapse.

Longitudinal BRAF ctDNA monitoring in melanoma reflects disease status and predicts relapse.

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