Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Patient Derived Cell Culture and Isolation of CD133+ Putative Cancer Stem Cells from Melanoma
Published on: March 13, 2013
cfDNA analysis from blood in melanoma
Miguel A Molina-Vila1, Clara Mayo de-Las-Casas1, Jordi Bertran-Alamillo1
11 Laboratory of Oncology/Pangaea Biotech S.L, Hospital Quiron Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
Detecting the V600E mutation in blood via cell-free DNA (cfDNA) offers prognostic and predictive value for metastatic melanoma patients. This blood test aids in monitoring treatment response when re-biopsy is not feasible.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Genetics
Background:
- Somatic mutations in tumor tissue are key for diagnosing human malignancies.
- The V600E mutation is the most common somatic point mutation in metastatic melanoma.
- Tumors with the V600E mutation are candidates for BRAF-targeted therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of detecting the V600E mutation in blood.
- To explore the utility of blood-based genetic testing for monitoring therapy response in metastatic melanoma.
- To highlight cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a viable material for detecting tumor-derived mutations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) purified from blood (serum/plasma).
- Utilizing various methodologies for V600E mutation detection in cfDNA.
- Comparing blood-based detection with traditional tumor tissue testing.
Main Results:
- Detection of V600E in cfDNA can provide prognostic and predictive information for metastatic melanoma.
- Blood-based genetic testing is useful for monitoring treatment response, especially when re-biopsy is difficult.
- cfDNA is a widely used and effective material for detecting somatic mutations in blood.
Conclusions:
- Blood-based detection of the V600E mutation in cfDNA is a valuable tool for metastatic melanoma management.
- This approach offers an alternative to tumor tissue testing, aiding in patient monitoring and treatment decisions.
- Further research supports the use of cfDNA for non-invasive cancer diagnostics and monitoring.

