Fragment size and level of cell-free DNA provide prognostic information in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It was recently demonstrated that the size of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments that originates from tumor cells are shorter than cfDNA fragments that originates from non-malignant cells. We investigated whether cfDNA fragment size and cfDNA levels might have prognostic value in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained from patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, before (n = 61) initiation of chemotherapy and after the first cycle of chemotherapy (n = 39). Samples were separated with density centrifugation and plasma DNA was isolated. Mode cfDNA fragment size and cfDNA levels were then determined using a 2100 Bioanalyzer. A cohort of partially age-matched healthy volunteers (n = 28) constituted the control group.

Results

SUBMITTER: Lapin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6218961 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature