Technologies for size-based analysis of circulating cell free DNA: limitations and clinical implementation
File(s)CritRevOncog2022043215.pdf (874.66 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Bevan, Charlotte
Pataillot-Meakin, Thomas
Ladame, Sylvain
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men worldwide, and incidence is likely to rise in the next decade. Screening options are limited as this has been shown to result in over-treatment of clinically insignificant disease. New biomarkers and technologies to detect them are therefore needed in order to better diagnose and stratify patients in primary care. Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) has gained interest as a potential minimally invasive biomarker, detectable in many bodily fluids (such as blood, urine, and cerebral spinal fluid) and reflecting the mutational landscape in tumours. More recently, the size distribution of ccfDNA fragments has also gained interest as a specific biomarker, where differences in size distribution have been observed between healthy volunteers and cancer patients, resulting in the new field of fragmentomics. Analysis of ccfDNA sizes provides avenues for alternative analytical technologies but commercial options are currently limited. Most focus on mutation detection and are subject to several biases that may affect size distribution. Here we discuss the available technologies and identify major issues and considerations that may affect their implementation as a clinically useful test based on ccfDNA size profiling.
Date Issued
2022-03-14
Date Acceptance
2022-03-14
Citation
Critical Reviews™ in Oncogenesis, 2022
ISSN
0893-9675
Publisher
Begell House
Journal / Book Title
Critical Reviews™ in Oncogenesis
Copyright Statement
© 2022 The Author(s).
Sponsor
Institute of Chemical Biology and Imperial Cancer Research Uk Centre
Subjects
Oncology & Carcinogenesis
0604 Genetics
1103 Clinical Sciences
1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2022-03-14