Advancing ctDNA Testing for Ewing Sarcoma: A New Grant to DFCI

Dr. Brian Crompton and his team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) have long been leaders in advancing liquid biopsy (circulating tumor DNA, or ctDNA) testing for pediatric sarcomas. Their research has confirmed that ctDNA levels correlate directly with tumor burden and can be used to predict outcomes at diagnosis—for both localized and metastatic disease.

Now, with support from Little Warrior Foundation and a generous $35,000 matching gift from the Payton Alexander Foundation, Dr. Crompton’s lab is developing a CLIA/CAP-certified liquid biopsy assay. This means the test will meet rigorous clinical laboratory standards—allowing the results to be returned directly to patients and used in real-time to guide care.

The $100,000 grant will support the creation of a reproducible, standardized ctDNA assay that can serve as a critical diagnostic and monitoring tool across multiple pediatric cancers, including Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilms tumor, and neuroblastoma.

What makes this initiative so impactful is its potential to directly influence treatment decisions. Once validated in a CLIA-certified environment, the assay could be integrated into clinical trials and routine care. For Ewing sarcoma specifically, it may allow for risk stratification at diagnosis—helping clinicians tailor treatment intensity to the aggressiveness of the disease and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

This grant is a bold step toward bringing precision medicine to the forefront of pediatric oncology—and we’re honored to help make it possible.

To learn more, check out our previous Ewing’s U session with Dr. Brian Crompton.