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Can Circulating Cell-Free DNA or Circulating Tumor DNA Be a Promising Marker in Ovarian Cancer?
Ming Yu1, Yu Zhu1, Lichen Teng1
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
Journal of Oncology
|May 3, 2021
Summary
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) shows promise as a novel tumor marker for ovarian cancer diagnosis and monitoring. This liquid biopsy approach offers advantages over traditional methods for improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ovarian cancer presents high morbidity and mortality, with most cases diagnosed at advanced stages due to limited early detection tools.
- Current treatments like surgery combined with chemotherapy show limited efficacy in improving overall survival rates and often lead to relapse or chemoresistance.
- There is a critical need for novel tumor markers to aid in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of ovarian cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the significant value of circulating cell-free DNA/circulating tumor DNA (cfDNA/ctDNA) in ovarian cancer.
- To explore the applications of cfDNA/ctDNA in the diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of ovarian cancer.
- To discuss future directions and challenges in cfDNA/ctDNA detection for ovarian cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on studies investigating cfDNA/ctDNA in ovarian cancer.
- Analysis of the role of cfDNA/ctDNA as a liquid biopsy tool.
- Examination of cfDNA/ctDNA's clinical applications in solid tumors, with an emphasis on ovarian cancer.
Main Results:
- cfDNA/ctDNA, as a component of liquid biopsy, has garnered significant attention due to its advantages over traditional diagnostic methods.
- cfDNA/ctDNA holds potential for early diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and predicting prognosis in ovarian cancer.
- The review highlights the broad clinical applicability of cfDNA/ctDNA across various solid tumors.
Conclusions:
- cfDNA/ctDNA represents a promising novel tumor marker for ovarian cancer, offering potential improvements in diagnosis and patient management.
- Liquid biopsy using cfDNA/ctDNA provides a less invasive and potentially more effective approach compared to conventional methods.
- Further research and development are needed to overcome challenges and fully realize the potential of cfDNA/ctDNA in clinical practice for ovarian cancer.
