Affiliations: [a] Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skƚodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland | [b] II Radiotherapy Clinic and Teaching Hospital, Maria Skƚodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Ewa Maƚusecka, Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skƚodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101 Gliwice, Poland. Tel.: +48 32 278 96 47; Fax: +48 32 231 25 12; E-mail: maluseck@io.gliwice.pl
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Analysis of circulating cell-free DNA in blood is considered as
a liquid biopsy, which enables non-invasive and repetitive investigation of
the tumor DNA. The potential clinical usefulness of circulating DNA is
frequently examined in lung cancer. Thus, our aim was assessment if
chemotherapy influences the circulating DNA concentration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven lung cancer patients in advanced stages of
the disease were examined. Quantification of circulating DNA was determined
by TERT amplification. RESULTS: Distant metastases and chemotherapy were significantly connected
with circulating DNA level. Patients treated with conventional chemotherapy
had statistically lower circulating DNA levels when compared to patients not
treated with chemotherapy. Histological types of tumor and smoking status
were not associated with circulating DNA concentration. In this study, we
have also genotyped the EGFR mutations in exon 19 of circulating DNA using
the TaqMan PCR assays. One patient carried a deletion (2235-49del in EGFR),
which has been confirmed by sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating DNA is easy to obtain, convenient biological
material, although quantitative analysis cannot be used as diagnostic tool,
but it can be applied to determination of EGFR mutations, basis of the
tyrosine kinase inhibitors application.
