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Detection of Cell-Free DNA in Blood Plasma Samples of Cancer Patients

Detection of Cell-Free DNA in Blood Plasma Samples of Cancer Patients

Published on: September 9, 2020

Remote immune processes revealed by immune-derived circulating cell-free DNA.

Ilana Fox-Fisher¹, Sheina Piyanzin¹, Bracha Lea Ochana¹

¹Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research, Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.

|November 29, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation patterns reveal immune cell dynamics in tissues. This novel biomarker tracks immune responses and predicts vaccine efficacy, offering insights beyond traditional blood counts.

Keywords:

DNA methylation biomarker cell-free DNA genetics genomics human immunology inflammation liquid biopsy lymphoma vaccination

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Genomics
Biomarker Discovery

Background:

Conventional blood cell counts do not fully capture immune activity in remote tissues.
Understanding immune cell dynamics is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring various health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the utility of immune cell type-specific methylation patterns in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a tool for studying human immune cell dynamics.
To establish cfDNA as a novel biomarker for monitoring immune responses.

Main Methods:

Characterization of cfDNA released from specific immune cell types in healthy individuals (N=242) using cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
Analysis of cfDNA levels in response to perturbations of immune homeostasis, including influenza vaccination (N=92) and specific diseases (eosinophilic esophagitis N=21, B-cell lymphoma N=27).

Main Results:

Immune cfDNA levels exhibited dynamic changes, unlike stable blood cell counts, suggesting cfDNA reflects homeostatic cell survival adjustments.
Selective elevation of immune-derived cfDNA was observed during immune perturbations.
B-cell-derived cfDNA increased before B-cell count elevation post-vaccination and predicted antibody production efficacy.
Elevated eosinophil and B-cell cfDNA were detected in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis and B-cell lymphoma, respectively, even when blood cell counts were normal.

Conclusions:

Immune-derived cfDNA serves as a novel biomarker for monitoring immune responses.
cfDNA analysis provides insights into immune processes in remote tissues, inaccessible by conventional methods.
This approach enhances the understanding of immune dynamics in both physiological and pathological conditions.