Cell free DNA – A novel biomarker in the field of oncology: A comparative account in the cancer patients and healthy residents of Karachi city

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/10/2016
Views (604)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Cell free DNA – A novel biomarker in the field of oncology: A comparative account in the cancer patients and healthy residents of Karachi city

Mohammad Attaullah, Masarrat J. Yousuf, Saifullah Afridi, Islam Dad, Muhammad Amin, Syed Ishtiaq Anjum, Rooh Ullah
Int. J. Biosci. 9(4), 356-364, October 2016.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2016; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

The present study was carried out to ascertain the levels of cell free DNA (cf-DNA) in the serum samples of diagnosed cancer patients having various malignancies and healthy residents of Karachi City. Collection of blood samples was carried out with informed consent from diagnosed cancer patients and healthy human subjects at various hospitals of Karachi City. Serum was isolated and analyzed for cf-DNA with genomic DNA isolation accompanied with Isoamyl-Phenol-Chloroform purification. Positive percentage of cf-DNA was found to be 36.84% (14/38 samples) in the healthy subjects and 56.45% (35/62 samples) in the cancer patients. The detected mean level of cf-DNA in the control and cancer group was found to be 1758.8ng/mL and 5584.27ng/µl respectively. Significantly elevated levels of cf-DNA were detected in the cancer cases compared with the healthy subjects. Cancer cases of the oral cavity and pharynx and breast cancer generally were having higher mean cf-DNA concentrations followed by blood cancer cases. Higher serum cf-DNA levels in the cancer cases compared with the healthy subjects is associated with the level of damage caused to nuclear DNA in various malignancies. A simple cost-effective blood test for the application of novel cancer biomarker (cf-DNA) will assist clinicians to implement therapeutics in an efficient and effective way for the diagnosis, staging and prognosis of various cancers during cancer management.

Anile M, Chiappetta C, Diso D, Liparulo V, Leopizzi M, Rocca CD, Venuta F. 2014. Influence of lung parenchyma surgical manipulation on circulating free DNA. Journal of Circulating Biomarkers 3, 1-5.

Anker P, Mulcahy H, Chen X, Stroun M. 1999. Detection of circulating tumour DNA in the blood (Plasma/serum) of cancer patients. Cancer and Metastasis Reviews 18, 65-73.

Ausubel F, Brent R, Kingston R, Moore D, Seidman JG, Smith J, Struhl K. 1995. Short Pro-tocols in Molecular Biology, 3rd Ed. Unit 2.1, page 2-3.

Breitbach S, Tug S, Simon P. 2012. Circulating cell-free DNA: An upcoming molecular marker in exercise physiology. Sports Medicine 42, 565-586.

Cabral REC, Neto JBC, Carvalho MGC. 2010. Circulating DNA as a biomarker for early detection of cancer. A Brief update with an Emphasis on Lung Cancer. The Open Lung Cancer Journal 3, 38-44.

Catarino R, Coelho A, Medeiros R. 2012. Circulating DNA and NSCLC: old findings with new perspectives. Journal of Thoracic Disease 4, 442-443.

Ellinger J, Bastian PJ. 2010. Cell-Free DNA: A novel biomarker for patients with prostate cancer. The Open Prostate Cancer Journal 3, 57-62.

Elshimali YI, Khaddour H, Sarkissyan M, Wu Y, Vadgama JV. 2013. The clinical utilization of circulating cell free DNA (CCFDNA) in blood of cancer patients. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 14, 18925-18958.

Gonzalez-Masia JA, Garcia-Olmo D, Garcia-Olmo DC. 2013. Circulating nucleic acids in plasma and serum: applications in oncology. Oncology Targets and Therapy 6, 819-832.

Jahr S, Hentze H, Englisch S, Hardt D, Fackelmayer FO, Hesch R, Knippers R. 2001. DNA fragments in the blood plasma of cancer patients: Quantitations and evidence for their origin from apoptotic and necrotic cells. Cancer Research 61, 1659-1665.

Lee TH, Montalvo L, Chrebtow V, Busch MP. 2001. Quantitation of genomic DNA in plasma and serum samples: Higher concentrations of genomic DNA found in serum than in plasma. Transfusion 41, 276-282.

Leon SA, Shapiro B, Sklaroff DM, Yaros MJ. 1977. Free DNA in the serum of cancer patients and the effect of therapy. Cancer Research 37, 646-50.

Nagata S, Hanayama R, Kawane K. 2010. Autoimmunity and the clearance of dead cells. Cell 140, 619-630.

Nalini R, Delphine Silvia CRW, Uthappa S. 2008. Utility of blood DNA levels in diagnosis of breast cancer. Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics 4, 57-59.

Park JL, Kim HJ, Choi BY, Lee HC, Jang HR, Song KS et al. 2012. Quantitative analysis of cell-free DNA in the plasma of gastric cancer patients. Oncology Letters 3, 921-926.

Rodrigo MC, Martin DS, Redetzke RA, Eyster EM. 2002. A method for the extraction of high-quality RNA and protein from single small samples of arteries and veins preserved in RNA later. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 47, 87-92.

Schwarzenbach H, Hoon DS, Pantel K. 2011. Cell-free nucleic acids as biomarkers in cancer patients. Nature Reviews Cancer 11, 426-437.

Sorenson GD, Pribish DM, Valone FH, Memoli VA, Bzik DJ, Yao SL. 1994. Soluble normal and mutated DNA sequences from single-copy genes in human blood. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention 3, 67-71.

Tabak B, O’Day SJ, Hoon DSB. 2004. Quantification of circulating DNA in the plasma and serum of cancer patients. Annals of New York Academy of Sciences 1022, 17-24.

Tong Y, Dennis Lo YM. 2005. Diagnostic developments involving cell-free (circulating) nucleic acids. Clinica Chimica Acta 363, 187-196.

Vasioukhin V, Anker P, Maurice P, Lyautey J, Lederrey C, Stroun M. 1994. Point mutations of the N-ras gene in the blood plasma DNA of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myelogenous leukaemia. British Journal of Haematology 86, 774-9.

Wagner J. 2012. Free DNA–new potential analyte in clinical laboratory diagnostics? Biochemical Medicine (Zagreb) 22, 24-38.

Ziegler A, Zangemeister-Wittke U, Stahel RA. 2002. Circulating DNA: a new diagnostic gold mine. Cancer Treatment and Reviews 28, 255-271.

Related Articles

Hepatoprotective and antinociceptive effects of terpinolene in streptozotocin-induced diabetic peripheral neuropathic rats

Ravishankar Sarumathi, Muthukumaran Preethi, Chandrasekaran Sankaranarayanan*, Int. J. Biosci. 27(6), 156-166, December 2025.

Agromorphological characterization of six promising bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] genotypes under selection in Burkina Faso

Adjima Ouoba*, Ali Lardia Bougma, Dominique Nikiéma, Mahamadi Hamed Ouédraogo, Nerbéwendé Sawadogo, Mahama Ouédraogo, Int. J. Biosci. 27(6), 145-155, December 2025.

Integrated in silico and in vitro analyses reveal E-cadherin crosstalk and TF: FVIIa complex-mediated trophoblast motility via MEK/JNK activation

Kirthika Manoharan, Jagadish Krishnan, Vijaya Anand Arumugam, Shenbagam Madhavan*, Int. J. Biosci. 27(6), 136-144, December 2025.

Effect of flooding depth and harvest intensity on soil moisture dynamics and production of baobab (Adansonia digitata) seedlings

Sissou Zakari, Pierre G. Tovihoudji, Mouiz W. I. A. Yessoufou, Sékaro Amamath Boukari, Vital Afouda, Imorou F. Ouorou Barrè, Int. J. Biosci. 27(6), 127-135, December 2025.

Local food processing and associated hygienic quality in greater Lomé, Togo: Traditional cooked corn-based dough akpan wrapped in M. cuspidata, M. mannii and M. purpurea species leaves

Mamy Eklou, Komlan Edjèdu Sodjinou, Kodjo Djidjolé Etse, Awidèma Adjolo, Benziwa Nathalie Johnson, Bayi Reine Dossou, Yaovi Ameyapoh, Raoufou Radji, Akossiwoa M-L Quashie, Int. J. Biosci. 27(6), 114-126, December 2025.

Improving the microbiological quality of spices and spice blends using treatments accessible to SMEs/SMIs

Pingdwindé Marie Judith Samadoulougou-Kafando, Korotimi Traoré, Crépin Ibingou Dibala, Aboubacar Sidiki Dao, Josias Nikiema, Idrissa Taram, Adama Pare, Inoussa Salambéré, Donatien Kaboré, Charles Parkouda, Int. J. Biosci. 27(6), 102-113, December 2025.

Twin-row planting practice in village sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) plantations during first ratoon under rainfed conditions in northern Côte d’Ivoire

Allé Yamoussou Joseph, Sawadogo Fatima, Traoré Mohamed Sahabane, Fondio Lassina, Int. J. Biosci. 27(6), 91-101, December 2025.

Prevalence of dengue infection in Delta State, Nigeria

P. A. Agbure, O. P. G. Nmorsi, A. O. Egwunyenga, Int. J. Biosci. 27(6), 82-90, December 2025.