Distinct subclonal tumour responses to therapy revealed by circulating cell-free DNA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The application of precision medicine in oncology requires in-depth characterisation of a patient's tumours and the dynamics of their responses to treatment.

Patients and methods

We used next-generation sequencing of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to monitor the response of a KIT p.L576P-mutant metastatic vaginal mucosal melanoma to sequential targeted, immuno- and chemotherapy.

Results

Despite a KIT mutation, the response to imatinib was mixed. Unfortunately, tumours were not accessible for molecular analysis. To study the mechanism underlying the mixed clinical response, we carried out whole-exome sequencing and targeted longitudinal analysis of cfDNA. This revealed two tumour subclones; one with a KIT mutation that responded to imatinib and a second K

SUBMITTER: Gremel G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5035787 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature