Circulating Cell-Free DNA Combined to Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Early Detection of HCC in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis.

ABSTRACT: Liquid biopsy based on circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a promising non-invasive tool for the prognosis of hepatocellular cancer (HCC). In this exploratory study we investigated whether cfDNA and gene variants associated with HCC may be found in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and thus identify those at an increased risk for HCC. A cohort of 40 LC patients with no suspect neoplastic lesions was included in this study. Next generation sequencing (NGS) of cfDNA isolated from plasma was performed on a panel of 597 selected genes. Images of the patients who underwent MRI with hepatospecific contrast media during the study period were retrospectively re-evaluated (imaging was not part of the prospective study). cfDNA was detected in the plasma of 36 patients with LC. NGS-based analyses i

SUBMITTER: Alunni-Fabbroni M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7866376 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature