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Circulating Cell Free DNA and DNA Integrity Index as Discriminating Tools between Breast Cancer and Benign Breast
Rania Elhelaly1, Narmen Effat1, Mohamed Abd El-Fattah Hegazy2
1Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
|February 28, 2022
Summary
Circulating cell-free DNA (ccf DNA) and DNA integrity index (DNA II) show promise as biomarkers for early breast cancer (BC) detection. These markers can differentiate malignant from benign breast diseases and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Laboratory medicine
- Molecular diagnostics
- Oncology
Background:
- Early cancer diagnosis is crucial but challenging in laboratory medicine.
- Distinguishing benign from malignant breast conditions requires reliable biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate circulating cell-free DNA (ccf DNA) and DNA integrity index (DNA II) for differentiating benign from malignant breast diseases.
- To assess the potential of these markers in early breast cancer (BC) diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 50 breast cancer patients, 50 benign breast disease patients, and 50 controls were analyzed.
- Real-time quantitative PCR (q-PCR) measured ccf DNA and ALU repeat fragments (short and long) to calculate DNA II.
- ELISA measured VEGF; all assays performed pre- and post-mastectomy.
Main Results:
- Breast cancer patients exhibited significantly higher ccf DNA concentrations and DNA II compared to benign and control groups.
- No significant difference was observed between benign breast disease and control groups.
- ccf DNA levels decreased significantly post-surgery, indicating therapeutic monitoring potential. ccf DNA showed good diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.860).
Conclusions:
- ccf DNA and DNA II serve as effective molecular biomarkers for early BC diagnosis.
- These markers can also monitor the efficacy of breast cancer therapy.
- Implementing these biomarkers can reduce healthcare and economic burdens associated with malignancy.
