Use of cell free DNA in breast oncology.

Cell free DNA (cfDNA) are short fragments of nucleic acids present in circulation outside of cells. In patients with cancer, some portion of cfDNA is derived from tumor cells, termed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and contains the same mutations and genetic changes as the cancer. The development of new, more effective methods to detect these changes has led to increased interest in developing ctDNA as a biomarker for cancer. Here we will review current literature on the use of ctDNA, with an emphasis on breast cancer, for cancer detection, prognosis, monitoring response to therapy, and tracking the rise of new mutant subclones.