Tumor-agnostic detection of circulating tumor DNA in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer using targeted DNA methylation sequencing and cell-free DNA fragmentomics.

ABSTRACT: We investigated whether DNA methylation and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentation patterns can improve circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in advanced pancreatic cancer. In a cohort of 33 patients, ctDNA detection was performed in a tumor-agnostic fashion using DNA methylation, cfDNA fragment lengths, and 4-mer 5' end motifs. Machine learning models estimating ctDNA levels were built for each individual detection method and their combination. All models significantly differentiated ctDNA levels in patients from healthy individuals (P < 0.001). Using the highest estimated levels in healthy volunteers as cutoffs, ctDNA was detected in 79%, 67%, 67%, and 55% of patients using methylation, fragment length, end motifs, and the combined model, respectively. Univariable Cox regression showed th

SUBMITTER: Lapin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12688167 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature