Ebru Esin Yoruker1, Emre Ozgur1, Metin Keskin2, Ilker Ozgur2, Ugur Gezer1. 1. Department of Basic Oncology, Oncology Institute, İstanbul University, İstanbul School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey. 2. Department of General Surgery, İstanbul University, İstanbul School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common cause of cancer-related deaths. The poor clinical outcome in GC patients is partially associated with a lack of appropriate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In the present study, we evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic values of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) integrity and the concentration of circulating nucleosomes (cNUCs). METHODS: In the study, 40 GC patients and 55 GC-free individuals were enrolled. Cell-free DNA integrity was calculated as the ratio of concentration of the longer ACTB (beta-actin) gene fragment to that of the shorter ACTB fragment, measured using quantitative PCR. Circulating nucleosomes were measured by an ELISA-based approach. RESULTS: We found that cfDNA integrity is higher in GC patients than in the control subjects (relative median values 0.51 vs. 0.38, respectively, P = .56) indicating prominent abundance of longer fragments in the patients. The patients with larger tumors (T3-4) had significantly higher cfDNA integrity than those with T1-T2 tumors. We also found GC patients to have higher concentrations of cNUCs in their plasma (relative median values 3.64 vs. 3.1). Importantly, the patients with high cfDNA integrity (i.e., lower fragmentation) had longer overall survival rates at 3 years than those with lower cfDNA integrity (76.5% vs. 38.9%, P = .02). CONCLUSION: Cell-free DNA fragmentation has a prognostic value. However, it has no diagnostic value in GC.
BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common cause of cancer-related deaths. The poor clinical outcome in GC patients is partially associated with a lack of appropriate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In the present study, we evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic values of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) integrity and the concentration of circulating nucleosomes (cNUCs). METHODS: In the study, 40 GC patients and 55 GC-free individuals were enrolled. Cell-free DNA integrity was calculated as the ratio of concentration of the longer ACTB (beta-actin) gene fragment to that of the shorter ACTB fragment, measured using quantitative PCR. Circulating nucleosomes were measured by an ELISA-based approach. RESULTS: We found that cfDNA integrity is higher in GC patients than in the control subjects (relative median values 0.51 vs. 0.38, respectively, P = .56) indicating prominent abundance of longer fragments in the patients. The patients with larger tumors (T3-4) had significantly higher cfDNA integrity than those with T1-T2 tumors. We also found GC patients to have higher concentrations of cNUCs in their plasma (relative median values 3.64 vs. 3.1). Importantly, the patients with high cfDNA integrity (i.e., lower fragmentation) had longer overall survival rates at 3 years than those with lower cfDNA integrity (76.5% vs. 38.9%, P = .02). CONCLUSION: Cell-free DNA fragmentation has a prognostic value. However, it has no diagnostic value in GC.
Authors: Benjamin Arko-Boham; Nii Ayite Aryee; Richard Michael Blay; Ewurama Dedea Ampadu Owusu; Emmanuel Ayitey Tagoe; Eshirow-Sam Doris Shackie; Ama Boatemaa Debrah; Nii Armah Adu-Aryee Journal: Cancer Genet Date: 2019-04-23
Authors: S Holdenrieder; P Stieber; H Bodenmüller; M Busch; G Fertig; H Fürst; A Schalhorn; N Schmeller; M Untch; D Seidel Journal: Int J Cancer Date: 2001-03-20 Impact factor: 7.396