Diagnoctic Value of Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Lung Cancer Detection: A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Melly Miranda Biomedical Science Doctoral Program, University of Yarsi, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Tjandra Yoga Aditama Biomedical Science Doctoral Program, University of Yarsi, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Insan Sosiawan Biomedical Science Doctoral Program, University of Yarsi, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Andika Chandra Putra Departement of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Thabina Anindya Rizaldi Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Jambi, Raden Mattaher General Hospital, Jambi, Indonesia
  • Mishael Enoch Stephen Faculty of Medicine, Mataram University, General Province West Nusa Tenggara Hospitals, Mataram Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38035/ijphs.v4i2.2022

Keywords:

Lung Cancer, Circulating Cell-Free DNA, Liquid Biopsy, DNA Methylation, Diagnostic Accuracy

Abstract

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with poor prognosis largely due to late-stage diagnosis. Early detection is essential to improve survival outcomes; however, current screening methods have limitations, including false-positive results and radiation exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating cell-free DNA as a minimally invasive biomarker for lung cancer detection through liquid biopsy. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome framework. Literature searches were performed up to March 2026 in several databases. A total of 265 records were identified, of which three studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings demonstrated that circulating cell-free DNA-based approaches, including mutation profiling and deoxyribonucleic acid methylation analysis, showed clinically meaningful diagnostic performance, with sensitivity ranging from 67% to 87.8% and specificity from 73% to 96%. Methylation-based methods demonstrated higher sensitivity and the ability to differentiate lung cancer from non-malignant pulmonary diseases. Overall, circulating cell-free DNA analysis shows strong potential as a minimally invasive tool for lung cancer detection.

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Published

2026-05-22

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): International Journal of Psychology and Health Science (April - June 2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Melly Miranda, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Insan Sosiawan, Andika Chandra Putra, Thabina Anindya Rizaldi, Mishael Enoch Stephen

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