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Circulating Cell-Free DNA Levels in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Keren Rouvinov1, Wilmosh Mermershtain1, Hadas Dresler2
1Department of Oncology, Soroka University Medical Center, and Faculty of the Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Oncology Research and Treatment
|October 25, 2017
Summary
Elevated circulating cell-free DNA (CFD) levels before treatment may indicate worse progression-free survival (PFS) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients. Further research is needed to confirm this biomarker
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomarkers
- Renal Cell Carcinoma
Background:
- Limited biomarkers exist to predict targeted therapy outcomes in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).
- Circulating cell-free DNA (CFD) is elevated in various cancers and may serve as a predictive biomarker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pretreatment circulating cell-free DNA (CFD) levels and treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).
- To evaluate CFD as a potential biomarker for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival in mRCC patients receiving targeted therapy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 23 mRCC patients treated with targeted therapy.
- CFD levels measured via fluorometric assay at baseline and multiple time points during treatment.
- Statistical analysis adjusted for known risk factors to assess association with objective response, PFS, and overall survival.
Main Results:
- Patients with normal pretreatment CFD levels exhibited significantly better PFS compared to those with elevated levels (p = 0.023).
- Multivariate analysis identified pretreatment CFD levels (p = 0.020) and Heng risk score (p = 0.006) as significant factors associated with PFS.
Conclusions:
- Elevated pretreatment CFD levels may be associated with worse PFS in mRCC patients undergoing targeted therapy.
- A simple fluorometric assay for CFD shows potential as a predictive biomarker.
- Larger prospective studies are recommended to validate these findings.
