Cell-Free Circulating Epimarks in Cancer Monitoring

Abstract

Cancer numbers increasing, cases heterogeneity and the drug resistance emergence have pushed scientists to search for innovative solutions for patients and epimutations can be one. Methylated DNA, modified nucleosomes and noncoding RNAs are found in all cells, including tumor cells. They are intracellular actors but also have intercellular communication roles, being released in extracellular environment and in different body fluids. Here, we reviewed current literature on the use of these blood circulating epimarks in cancer monitoring. What stands out is that epimarkers must be considered as ‘real time’ images of the tumor, and can be isolated without invasive methods. In the future, the real challenge lies in the development of specific, sensitive, fast and clinically applicable detection and analysis methods of epimarkers.

Keywords::

• biomarkers
• cancer
• cfc-DNA
• cfc-ncRNA
• cfc-nucleosomes
• epigenetics

Author contributions

All the authors were responsible for the draft of the work or critical revision for important intellectual content. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Cancéropôle Grand Ouest for supporting the ‘Niches and Epigenetics of Tumors’ network, http://www.canceropole-grandouest.com.

Financial &competing interests disclosure

M Duforestel was supported by a fellowship from EpiSAVMEN/REGION PAYS DE LA LOIRE. J Briand was supported by a fellowship from EpiSAVMEN/REGION PAYS DE LA LOIRE and ‘EN AVANT LA VIE’, a French association that fights against glioma. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

M Duforestel was supported by a fellowship from EpiSAVMEN/REGION PAYS DE LA LOIRE. J Briand was supported by a fellowship from EpiSAVMEN/REGION PAYS DE LA LOIRE and ‘EN AVANT LA VIE’, a French association that fights against glioma. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.