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Scaini MC, Catoni C, Poggiana C, Pigozzo J, Piccin L, Leone K, Scarabello I, Facchinetti A, Menin C, Elefanti L, Pellegrini S, Aleotti V, Vidotto R, Schiavi F, Fabozzi A, Chiarion-Sileni V, Rosato A. A multiparameter liquid biopsy approach allows to track melanoma dynamics and identify early treatment resistance. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:78. [PMID: 38548846 PMCID: PMC10978909 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00567-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma heterogeneity is a hurdle in metastatic disease management. Although the advent of targeted therapy has significantly improved patient outcomes, the occurrence of resistance makes monitoring of the tumor genetic landscape mandatory. Liquid biopsy could represent an important biomarker for the real-time tracing of disease evolution. Thus, we aimed to correlate liquid biopsy dynamics with treatment response and progression by devising a multiplatform approach applied to longitudinal melanoma patient monitoring. We conceived an approach that exploits Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and droplet digital PCR, as well as the FDA-cleared platform CellSearch, to analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) trend and circulating melanoma cell (CMC) count, together with their customized genetic and copy number variation analysis. The approach was applied to 17 stage IV melanoma patients treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors, followed for up to 28 months. BRAF mutations were detected in the plasma of 82% of patients. Single nucleotide variants known or suspected to confer resistance were identified in 70% of patients. Moreover, the amount of ctDNA, both at baseline and during response, correlated with the type and duration of the response itself, and the CMC count was confirmed to be a prognostic biomarker. This work provides proof of principle of the power of this approach and paves the way for a validation study aimed at evaluating early ctDNA-guided treatment decisions in stage IV melanoma. The NGS-based molecular profile complemented the analysis of ctDNA trend and, together with CMC analysis, revealed to be useful in capturing tumor evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Scaini
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Cristina Catoni
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Poggiana
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Jacopo Pigozzo
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Luisa Piccin
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Kevin Leone
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Scarabello
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonella Facchinetti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DiSCOG), Oncology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Menin
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Lisa Elefanti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefania Pellegrini
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Valentina Aleotti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Riccardo Vidotto
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Schiavi
- Familial Cancer Clinic, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessio Fabozzi
- Oncology Unit 3, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Rosato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DiSCOG), Oncology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Zavarykina TM, Lomskova PK, Pronina IV, Khokhlova SV, Stenina MB, Sukhikh GT. Circulating Tumor DNA Is a Variant of Liquid Biopsy with Predictive and Prognostic Clinical Value in Breast Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17073. [PMID: 38069396 PMCID: PMC10706922 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper introduces the reader to the field of liquid biopsies and cell-free nucleic acids, focusing on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in breast cancer (BC). BC is the most common type of cancer in women, and progress with regard to treatment has been made in recent years. Despite this, there remain a number of unresolved issues in the treatment of BC; in particular, early detection and diagnosis, reliable markers of response to treatment and for the prediction of recurrence and metastasis, especially for unfavorable subtypes, are needed. It is also important to identify biomarkers for the assessment of drug resistance and for disease monitoring. Our work is devoted to ctDNA, which may be such a marker. Here, we describe its main characteristics and potential applications in clinical oncology. This review considers the results of studies devoted to the analysis of the prognostic and predictive roles of various methods for the determination of ctDNA in BC patients. Currently known epigenetic changes in ctDNA with clinical significance are reviewed. The possibility of using ctDNA as a predictive and prognostic marker for monitoring BC and predicting the recurrence and metastasis of cancer is also discussed, which may become an important part of a precision approach to the treatment of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana M. Zavarykina
- N.M. Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia;
- “B.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 117997, Russia; (S.V.K.); (G.T.S.)
| | - Polina K. Lomskova
- N.M. Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia;
| | - Irina V. Pronina
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow 125315, Russia;
| | - Svetlana V. Khokhlova
- “B.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 117997, Russia; (S.V.K.); (G.T.S.)
| | - Marina B. Stenina
- “N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 115522, Russia;
| | - Gennady T. Sukhikh
- “B.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 117997, Russia; (S.V.K.); (G.T.S.)
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Lin X, Zong C, Zhang Z, Fang W, Xu P. Progresses in biomarkers for cancer immunotherapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e387. [PMID: 37799808 PMCID: PMC10547938 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy has emerged as prevailing treatment modality for diverse cancers. However, immunotherapy as a first-line therapy has not consistently yielded durable responses. Moreover, the risk of immune-related adverse events increases with combination regimens. Thus, the development of predictive biomarkers is needed to optimize individuals benefit, minimize risk of toxicities, and guide combination approaches. The greatest focus has been on tumor programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), microsatellite instability (MSI), and tumor mutational burden (TMB). However, there remains a subject of debate due to thresholds variability and significant heterogeneity. Major unmet challenges in immunotherapy are the discovery and validation of predictive biomarkers. Here, we show the status of tumor PD-L1, MSI, TMB, and emerging data on novel biomarker strategies with oncogenic signaling and epigenetic regulation. Considering the exploration of peripheral and intestinal immunity has served as noninvasive alternative in predicting immunotherapy, this review also summarizes current data in systemic immunity, encompassing solute PD-L1 and TMB, circulating tumor DNA and infiltrating lymphocytes, routine emerging inflammatory markers and cytokines, as well as gut microbiota. This review provides up-to-date information on the evolving field of currently available biomarkers in predicting immunotherapy. Future exploration of novel biomarkers is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuwen Lin
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenGuangdong ProvinceChina
- Department of Internal MedicineShantou University Medical CollegeShantouGuangdong ProvinceChina
| | - Chenyu Zong
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenGuangdong ProvinceChina
- Department of Internal MedicineZunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhou ProvinceChina
| | - Zhihan Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenGuangdong ProvinceChina
| | - Weiyi Fang
- Cancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical ScienceSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong ProvinceChina
- Cancer CenterIntegrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong ProvinceChina
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenGuangdong ProvinceChina
- Department of Internal MedicineZunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhou ProvinceChina
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Al-Showbaki L, Wilson B, Tamimi F, Molto C, Mittal A, Cescon DW, Amir E. Changes in circulating tumor DNA and outcomes in solid tumors treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-005854. [PMID: 36792122 PMCID: PMC9933752 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantification of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels is a reliable prognostic tool in several malignancies. Dynamic changes in ctDNA levels in response to treatment may also provide prognostic information. Here, we explore the value of changes in ctDNA levels in response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). METHODS We searched MEDLINE (host: PubMed) for trials of ICIs in advanced solid tumors in which outcomes were reported based on change in ctDNA levels. ctDNA reduction was defined as reported in individual trials. Typically, this was either >50% reduction or a reduction to undetectable levels. We extracted HRs and related 95% CIs and/or p values comparing ctDNA reduction versus no reduction for progression-free survival (PFS) and/or overall survival (OS). Data were then pooled in a meta-analysis. Variation in effect size was examined using subgroup analyses. RESULTS Eighteen trials were included in the meta-analysis. ctDNA levels were detectable in all participants in all studies prior to initiation of ICIs. A reduction in ctDNA measured 6-16 weeks after starting treatment was associated with significantly better PFS (HR 0.20; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.28; p<0.001). Similarly, OS was superior in patients with reduced ctDNA levels (HR 0.18; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.26; p<0.001). The results were consistent across all disease sites, lines of treatment, magnitude of change (to undetectable vs >50% reduction) and whether treatment exposure comprised single or combination ICIs. CONCLUSIONS In advanced solid tumors, a reduction in ctDNA levels in response to ICIs is associated with substantial improvements in outcome. ctDNA change is an early response biomarker which may allow for de-escalation of cross-sectional imaging in patients receiving ICIs or support treatment de-escalation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laith Al-Showbaki
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Brooke Wilson
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faris Tamimi
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Consolacion Molto
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abhenil Mittal
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David W Cescon
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eitan Amir
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Diefenbach RJ, Lee JH, Stewart A, Menzies AM, Carlino MS, Saw RPM, Stretch JR, Long GV, Scolyer RA, Rizos H. Anchored Multiplex PCR Custom Melanoma Next Generation Sequencing Panel for Analysis of Circulating Tumor DNA. Front Oncol 2022; 12:820510. [PMID: 35494035 PMCID: PMC9039342 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.820510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of melanoma mutations using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a potential alternative to using genomic DNA from invasive tissue biopsies. To date, mutations in the GC-rich TERT promoter region, which is commonly mutated in melanoma, have been technically difficult to detect in ctDNA using next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels. In this study, we developed a custom melanoma NGS panel for detection of ctDNA, which encompasses the top 15 gene mutations in melanoma including the TERT promoter. We analyzed 21 stage III and IV melanoma patient samples who were treatment-naïve or on therapy. The overall detection rate of the custom panel, based on BRAF/NRAS/TERT promoter mutations, was 14/21 (67%) patient samples which included a TERT C250T mutation in one BRAF and NRAS mutation negative sample. A BRAF or NRAS mutation was detected in the ctDNA of 13/21 (62%) patients while TERT promoter mutations were detected in 10/21 (48%) patients. Co-occurrence of TERT promoter mutations with BRAF or NRAS mutations was found in 9/10 (90%) patients. The custom ctDNA panel showed a concordance of 16/21 (76%) with tissue based-detection and included 12 BRAF/NRAS mutation positive and 4 BRAF/NRAS mutation negative patients. The ctDNA mutation detection rate for stage IV was 12/16 (75%) and for stage III was 1/5 (20%). Based on BRAF, NRAS and TERT promoter mutations, the custom melanoma panel displayed a limit of detection of ~0.2% mutant allele frequency and showed significant correlation with droplet digital PCR. For one patient, a novel MAP2K1 H119Y mutation was detected in an NRAS/BRAF/TERT promoter mutation negative background. To increase the detection rate to >90% for stage IV melanoma patients, we plan to expand our custom panel to 50 genes. This study represents one of the first to successfully detect TERT promoter mutations in ctDNA from cutaneous melanoma patients using a targeted NGS panel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell J Diefenbach
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jenny H Lee
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Stewart
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander M Menzies
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matteo S Carlino
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robyn P M Saw
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Stretch
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Helen Rizos
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Tivey A, Britton F, Scott JA, Rothwell D, Lorigan P, Lee R. Circulating Tumour DNA in Melanoma-Clinic Ready? Curr Oncol Rep 2022; 24:363-373. [PMID: 35133615 PMCID: PMC8885536 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01151-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Liquid biopsies, including circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), can inform a variety of clinical questions. This review examines the potential role of ctDNA as a clinical tool to inform clinical decision-making from early to late stage cutaneous melanoma. RECENT FINDINGS In pre-clinical studies, ctDNA has been shown to detect minimal residual disease and molecular relapse; predict and monitor response to therapy; and identify key resistance mechanisms. Here, we examine the potential utility of ctDNA and discuss its limitations for use in patients with melanoma. We present novel clinical trials, which are testing its value as a tool to augment clinical decision-making. Finally, we discuss the steps that are needed to ensure that ctDNA is used optimally in order to improve outcomes for patients with melanoma. Preclinical studies have shown that ctDNA has huge potential to provide real-time information about disease status in patients with melanoma. It is now time to test it rigorously within clinical trials to assess how it can be optimally used to benefit patients in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Tivey
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
- Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Fiona Britton
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
| | - Julie-Ann Scott
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
| | - Dominic Rothwell
- Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
- Nucleic Acids Biomarker Team, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Cancer Biomarker Centre, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Paul Lorigan
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK
- Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Rebecca Lee
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK.
- Division of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK.
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Olmedillas-López S, Olivera-Salazar R, García-Arranz M, García-Olmo D. Current and Emerging Applications of Droplet Digital PCR in Oncology: An Updated Review. Mol Diagn Ther 2021; 26:61-87. [PMID: 34773243 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-021-00562-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the era of personalized medicine and targeted therapies for the management of patients with cancer, ultrasensitive detection methods for tumor genotyping, such as next-generation sequencing or droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), play a significant role. In the search for less invasive strategies for diagnosis, prognosis and disease monitoring, the number of publications regarding liquid biopsy approaches using ddPCR has increased substantially in recent years. There is a long list of malignancies in which ddPCR provides a reliable and accurate tool for detection of nucleic acid-based markers derived from cell-free DNA, cell-free RNA, circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles or exosomes when isolated from whole blood, plasma and serum, helping to anticipate tumor relapse or unveil intratumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution in response to treatment. This updated review describes recent developments in ddPCR platforms and provides a general overview about the major applications of liquid biopsy in blood, including its utility for molecular response and minimal residual disease monitoring in hematological malignancies or the therapeutic management of patients with colorectal or lung cancer, particularly for the selection and monitoring of treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Although plasma is the main source of genetic material for tumor genomic profiling, liquid biopsy by ddPCR is being investigated in a wide variety of biologic fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid, urine, stool, ocular fluids, sputum, saliva, bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural effusion, mucin, peritoneal fluid, fine needle aspirate, bile or pancreatic juice. The present review focuses on these "alternative" sources of genetic material and their analysis by ddPCR in different kinds of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Olmedillas-López
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rocío Olivera-Salazar
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariano García-Arranz
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Damián García-Olmo
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Surgery, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (FJD), 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
Neoplasia occurs as a result of genetic mutations. Research evaluating the association between gene mutations and skin cancer is limited and has produced inconsistent results. There are no established guidelines for screening skin cancer at molecular level. It should also be noted that the combinations of some mutations may play a role in skin tumors’ biology and immune response. There are three major types of skin cancer, and the originality of this study comes from its approach of each of them.
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Ma W, Li W, Xu L, Liu L, Xia Y, Yang L, Da M. Identification of a Gene Prognostic Model of Gastric Cancer Based on Analysis of Tumor Mutation Burden. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:1609852. [PMID: 34566519 PMCID: PMC8460769 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.1609852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers. Although some progress has been made in the treatment of gastric cancer with the improvement of surgical methods and the application of immunotherapy, the prognosis of gastric cancer patients is still unsatisfactory. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that tumor mutational load (TMB) is strongly associated with survival outcomes and response to immunotherapy. Given the variable response of patients to immunotherapy, it is important to investigate clinical significance of TMB and explore appropriate biomarkers of prognosis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Material and Methods: All data of patients with gastric cancer were obtained from the database of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Samples were divided into two groups based on median TMB. Differently expressed genes (DEGs) between the high- and low-TMB groups were identified and further analyzed. We identified TMB-related genes using Lasso, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis and validated the survival result of 11 hub genes using Kaplan-Meier Plotter. In addition, “CIBERSORT” package was utilized to estimate the immune infiltration. Results: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), C > T transition were the most common variant type and single nucleotide variant (SNV), respectively. Patients in the high-TMB group had better survival outcomes than those in the low-TMB group. Besides, eleven TMB-related DEGs were utilized to construct a prognostic model that could be an independent risk factor to predict the prognosis of patients with GC. What’s more, the infiltration levels of CD4+ memory-activated T cells, M0 and M1 macrophages were significantly increased in the high-TMB group compared with the low-TMB group. Conclusions: Herein, we found that patients with high TMB had better survival outcomes in GC. In addition, higher TMB might promote immune infiltration, which could provide new ideas for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Ma
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Weidong Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine (Gansu Provincial Hospital), Lanzhou, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine (Gansu Provincial Hospital), Lanzhou, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,First Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mingxu Da
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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