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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Exosomal miRNA Analysis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients' Plasma Through qPCR: A Feasible Liquid Biopsy Tool
Published on: May 27, 2016
[Analysis of tumour-derived DNA in serum in advanced non-microcytic lung cancer: might it be a prognostic factor?]
Carlos Camps Herrero1, Pilar Bayo Zaera, Rafael Sirera Pérez
1Servicio de Oncología Médica, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Av. Tres Cruces s/n, Valencia 46014, Spain. camps_car@gva.es
Introduction:
Presence of circulating DNA in the serum of patients with cancer makes detection of tumour-specific genetic alterations feasible.
Objective:
To study serum DNA concentration in patients diagnosed as having advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate its relationship with age, histology, stage, response, time-to-progression (TTP), and survival.
Methods:
Serum DNA from 78 patients was purified and spectrophotometrically quantified.
Results:
No significant correlations were found between serum DNA concentration and age, histology, response and survival. There was a significant correlation with respect to stage (IIIB = 408.75 ng/ml; IV = 478.74 ng/ml; p = 0.02). When patients were grouped according to DNA concentration, significant correlation with TTP was found; establishing a cut-off point at 500 ng/ml ([DNA] < 500 ng/ml TTP = 7.25 months, 95%CI: 3.5-5.25; [DNA ] > or = 500 ng/ml TTP = 4.25 months, 95%CI: 2-6.5; p = 0.05).
Conclusions:
Using the present method, DNA concentration quantification appears to be simple, but with certain deficiencies due to inter-sample variability and low specificity. This is because total DNA concentration is measured without distinguishing as to whether it is tumour-related. We suggest that there is a correlation between DNA concentration and prognosis which enables an analysis of the natural history of the disease.
