TY - JOUR
T1 - The emerging role of cell-free DNA as a molecular marker for cancer management
AU - Bronkhorst, Abel Jacobus
AU - Ungerer, Vida
AU - Holdenrieder, Stefan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Authors
PY - 2019/3
Y1 - 2019/3
N2 - An increasing number of studies demonstrate the potential use of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a surrogate marker for multiple indications in cancer, including diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring. However, harnessing the full potential of cfDNA requires (i) the optimization and standardization of preanalytical steps, (ii) refinement of current analysis strategies, and, perhaps most importantly, (iii) significant improvements in our understanding of its origin, physical properties, and dynamics in circulation. The latter knowledge is crucial for interpreting the associations between changes in the baseline characteristics of cfDNA and the clinical manifestations of cancer. In this review we explore recent advancements and highlight the current gaps in our knowledge concerning each point of contact between cfDNA analysis and the different stages of cancer management.
AB - An increasing number of studies demonstrate the potential use of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a surrogate marker for multiple indications in cancer, including diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring. However, harnessing the full potential of cfDNA requires (i) the optimization and standardization of preanalytical steps, (ii) refinement of current analysis strategies, and, perhaps most importantly, (iii) significant improvements in our understanding of its origin, physical properties, and dynamics in circulation. The latter knowledge is crucial for interpreting the associations between changes in the baseline characteristics of cfDNA and the clinical manifestations of cancer. In this review we explore recent advancements and highlight the current gaps in our knowledge concerning each point of contact between cfDNA analysis and the different stages of cancer management.
KW - Biomarker
KW - Cancer
KW - Cell-free DNA
KW - Circulating tumor DNA
KW - Liquid biopsy
KW - Precision oncology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85062957685&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.bdq.2019.100087
DO - 10.1016/j.bdq.2019.100087
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85062957685
SN - 2214-7535
VL - 17
JO - Biomolecular Detection and Quantification
JF - Biomolecular Detection and Quantification
M1 - 100087
ER -