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Dobre EG, Constantin C, Neagu M. Skin Cancer Research Goes Digital: Looking for Biomarkers within the Droplets. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12071136. [PMID: 35887633 PMCID: PMC9323323 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12071136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin cancer, which includes the most frequent malignant non-melanoma carcinomas (basal cell carcinoma, BCC, and squamous cell carcinoma, SCC), along with the difficult to treat cutaneous melanoma (CM), pose important worldwide issues for the health care system. Despite the improved anti-cancer armamentarium and the latest scientific achievements, many skin cancer patients fail to respond to therapies, due to the remarkable heterogeneity of cutaneous tumors, calling for even more sophisticated biomarker discovery and patient monitoring approaches. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), a robust method for detecting and quantifying low-abundance nucleic acids, has recently emerged as a powerful technology for skin cancer analysis in tissue and liquid biopsies (LBs). The ddPCR method, being capable of analyzing various biological samples, has proved to be efficient in studying variations in gene sequences, including copy number variations (CNVs) and point mutations, DNA methylation, circulatory miRNome, and transcriptome dynamics. Moreover, ddPCR can be designed as a dynamic platform for individualized cancer detection and monitoring therapy efficacy. Here, we present the latest scientific studies applying ddPCR in dermato-oncology, highlighting the potential of this technology for skin cancer biomarker discovery and validation in the context of personalized medicine. The benefits and challenges associated with ddPCR implementation in the clinical setting, mainly when analyzing LBs, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena-Georgiana Dobre
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania;
- Correspondence:
| | - Carolina Constantin
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
- Pathology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Neagu
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania;
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
- Pathology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
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Grätz C, Bui MLU, Thaqi G, Kirchner B, Loewe RP, Pfaffl MW. Obtaining Reliable RT-qPCR Results in Molecular Diagnostics—MIQE Goals and Pitfalls for Transcriptional Biomarker Discovery. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12030386. [PMID: 35330136 PMCID: PMC8953338 DOI: 10.3390/life12030386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the development pipeline for transcriptional biomarkers in molecular diagnostics and stress the importance of a reliable gene transcript quantification strategy. Hence, a further focus is put on the MIQE guidelines and how to adapt them for biomarker discovery, from signature validation up to routine diagnostic applications. First, the advantages and pitfalls of the holistic RNA sequencing for biomarker development will be described to establish a candidate biomarker signature. Sequentially, the RT-qPCR confirmation process will be discussed to validate the discovered biomarker signature. Examples for the successful application of RT-qPCR as a fast and reproducible quantification method in routinemolecular diagnostics are provided. Based on the MIQE guidelines, the importance of “key steps” in RT-qPCR is accurately described, e.g., reverse transcription, proper reference gene selection and, finally, the application of automated RT-qPCR data analysis software. In conclusion, RT-qPCR proves to be a valuable tool in the establishment of a disease-specific transcriptional biomarker signature and will have a great future in molecular diagnostics or personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Grätz
- Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephaner Berg 3, 85354 Freising, Germany; (C.G.); (M.L.U.B.); (G.T.); (B.K.)
- GeneSurge GmbH, Ottostr. 3, 80333 München, Germany;
| | - Maria L. U. Bui
- Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephaner Berg 3, 85354 Freising, Germany; (C.G.); (M.L.U.B.); (G.T.); (B.K.)
- GeneSurge GmbH, Ottostr. 3, 80333 München, Germany;
| | - Granit Thaqi
- Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephaner Berg 3, 85354 Freising, Germany; (C.G.); (M.L.U.B.); (G.T.); (B.K.)
| | - Benedikt Kirchner
- Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephaner Berg 3, 85354 Freising, Germany; (C.G.); (M.L.U.B.); (G.T.); (B.K.)
- GeneSurge GmbH, Ottostr. 3, 80333 München, Germany;
| | | | - Michael W. Pfaffl
- Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephaner Berg 3, 85354 Freising, Germany; (C.G.); (M.L.U.B.); (G.T.); (B.K.)
- Correspondence: or
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