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Updated: Sep 3, 2025
Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
Published on: June 8, 2019
Skin Cancer Research Goes Digital: Looking for Biomarkers within the Droplets
Elena-Georgiana Dobre1, Carolina Constantin2,3, Monica Neagu1,2,3
1Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91-95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania.
Abstract:
Skin cancer, which includes the most frequent malignant non-melanoma carcinomas (basal cell carcinoma, BCC, and squamous cell carcinoma, SCC), along with the difficult to treat cutaneous melanoma (CM), pose important worldwide issues for the health care system. Despite the improved anti-cancer armamentarium and the latest scientific achievements, many skin cancer patients fail to respond to therapies, due to the remarkable heterogeneity of cutaneous tumors, calling for even more sophisticated biomarker discovery and patient monitoring approaches. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), a robust method for detecting and quantifying low-abundance nucleic acids, has recently emerged as a powerful technology for skin cancer analysis in tissue and liquid biopsies (LBs). The ddPCR method, being capable of analyzing various biological samples, has proved to be efficient in studying variations in gene sequences, including copy number variations (CNVs) and point mutations, DNA methylation, circulatory miRNome, and transcriptome dynamics. Moreover, ddPCR can be designed as a dynamic platform for individualized cancer detection and monitoring therapy efficacy. Here, we present the latest scientific studies applying ddPCR in dermato-oncology, highlighting the potential of this technology for skin cancer biomarker discovery and validation in the context of personalized medicine. The benefits and challenges associated with ddPCR implementation in the clinical setting, mainly when analyzing LBs, are also discussed.
Insights
Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) offers a powerful new method for analyzing skin cancer biomarkers in various samples, including liquid biopsies. This technology aids in personalized medicine by improving skin cancer detection and monitoring treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Dermato-oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and cutaneous melanoma (CM), presents a significant global health challenge.
- Tumor heterogeneity leads to treatment resistance in many skin cancer patients, necessitating advanced biomarker discovery and monitoring strategies.
- Existing anti-cancer therapies show limitations due to the complex nature of cutaneous tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest applications of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) in dermato-oncology.
- To highlight ddPCR's potential for skin cancer biomarker discovery and validation in personalized medicine.
- To discuss the advantages and challenges of implementing ddPCR in clinical settings, particularly for liquid biopsies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ddPCR, a sensitive technique for detecting and quantifying low-abundance nucleic acids.
- Analyzed various biological samples, including tissue and liquid biopsies (LBs).
- Investigated gene sequence variations such as copy number variations (CNVs), point mutations, DNA methylation, and transcriptome dynamics.
Main Results:
- ddPCR demonstrates efficacy in analyzing diverse genetic variations relevant to skin cancer.
- The technology shows promise for dynamic, individualized skin cancer detection and therapy monitoring.
- Studies applying ddPCR in dermato-oncology reveal its potential for biomarker discovery and validation.
Conclusions:
- ddPCR is a robust technology for advancing personalized medicine in skin cancer care.
- Its application in analyzing liquid biopsies offers significant potential for non-invasive patient monitoring.
- Further research and clinical implementation are needed to fully leverage ddPCR's benefits while addressing associated challenges.
