Cell-free DNA: Measurement in various carcinomas and establishment of normal reference range

Tsu Lan Wu, Diana Zhang, Ju Hsin Chia, Kuo Chien Tsao, Chien Feng Sun, James T. Wu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

200 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Cell-free DNA is detectable in circulating blood. Numerous reports in the literature have pointed out that cell-free DNA in plasma or serum has the clinical potential to be a more specific tumor marker for the diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the early detection, of cancer. Methods: In order to adapt cell-free DNA to a routine clinical laboratory test, we used commercial kits such as the QIAamp blood kit for DNA extraction and the PicoGreen DNA kit for DNA quantification. This was done so our results and the normal reference value established would allow to be compared by other laboratories. We have established the normal reference level of cell-free DNA for females and males from age 20-70 years. We also detected elevated cell-free DNA in all cancers that were tested in this study, including carcinomas, leukemia and lymphoma. Results: Our study indicates that the elevation of serum cell-free DNA was usually detected in specimens containing elevated tumor markers and is most likely associated with tumor metastases. The electrophoretic pattern of cell-free DNA showed that cell-free DNA from cancer patient is fragmented, containing smaller DNA (100 bp) not found in normal cell-free DNA. Conclusions: Measuring cell-free DNA may complement currently used tumor markers for the management of cancer patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)77-87
Number of pages11
JournalClinica Chimica Acta
Volume321
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • Circulating cell-free DNA
  • Electrophoretic pattern
  • Reference range
  • Tumor marker

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cell-free DNA: Measurement in various carcinomas and establishment of normal reference range'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this