Circulating tumor DNA detectable in early- and late-stage colorectal cancer patients. Issue 4 (31st July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Ying-Chi; Wang, Dong; Jin, Lan; Yao, Hong-Wei; Zhang, Jing-Hui; Wang, Jin; Zhao, Xiao-Mu; Shen, Chun-Ying; Chen, Wei; Wang, Xue-Liang; Shi, Rong; Chen, Si-Yi; Zhang, Zhong-Tao
• Is Part Of: Bioscience reports. Volume 38:Issue 4(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-07-31
• Subjects: CRC -- ctDNA -- genes -- mutation; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1042/BSR20180322
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8463

Abstract

Abstract : Characterization, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancers (CRC) is difficult due to limited biopsy information, impracticality of repeated biopsies, and cancer biomarker fallibility. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has recently been investigated as a non-invasive way to gain representative gene mutations in tumors, in addition to monitoring disease progression and response to treatment. We analyzed ctDNA mutations and concentrations in 47 early- and late-stage CRC patients using a targetted sequencing approach using a panel that covers 50 cancer-related genes. ctDNA mutations in 37 genes were identified in 93.6% of the patients ( n =47). The results showed that TP53, PIK3CA, APC, and EGFR were the most frequently mutated genes. Stage IV patients had significantly higher ctDNA concentration than Stage I patients, and increased ctDNA concentration correlated with increased tumor size. Additionally, ctDNA detection was found to be a greater predictor of disease when compared with five known commonly used tumor biomarkers. The present study supports the use of ctDNA as a liquid biopsy to gain clinical tumor information that may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment and improve CRC patient prognosis.