Quantification of Plasma Cell-Free Circulating DNA at Different Stages of Colorectal Cancer

ABSTRACT

Cell-free circulating DNAs (cfcDNAs) have been recognized as promising biomarkers for a number of cancers. This study aimed to quantify the cfcDNA in colorectal cancer to assess its potential value as biomarker. Quantification of baseline cfcDNA was determined as the amount of free glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in plasma, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The calculated area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) for cfcDNA was 0.875 (95% CI, 0.811–0.94), which was indicative of a high discriminatory power (p < 0.001) and significant accuracy in distinguishing cancer patients from healthy individuals. The quantification of cfcDNA could be useful for clinical settings of CRC.

KEYWORDS:

• Biomarker
• Blood
• Circulating DNA
• Colorectal cancer
• Plasma

Conflict of interest

All authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Iran University of Medical Sciences (Grant No. 26699). We also thank the patients who participated in the study.

Authors' contributions

SA and AA contributed to study design and conception. MM contributed to visit and select patients. AA and SA provided scientific advice and AM and FN collected the samples. AT and AM assisted with analysis of the data. AA prepared the manuscript which AT, AS and AM significantly revised. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

Iran University of Medical Sciences, 26699.