Methylation-specific, universal, and highly sensitive identification of ctDNA in prostate cancer by multiplex droplet digital PCR.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Liquid biopsy for detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) offers a promising, non-invasive strategy for real-time monitoring of cancer. We aimed to develop a universal and sensitive one-tube droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) multiplex assay able to detect ctDNA in plasma from metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) patients.

Methods

Publicly available array data are applied to identify methylation signatures specific to both normal and cancerous prostate tissue. The assay is based on the highly sensitive ddPCR technology, and tissue and plasma samples are analyzed using the QX600 ddPCR multiplexing platform from BioRad.

Results

We identified three novel genomic regions, ACTRT2, EVX1, and HOXD13, containing CpG-methylation signatures specific to normal and cancerous pr

SUBMITTER: Kahns S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12854444 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature