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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Detection of Cell-Free DNA in Blood Plasma Samples of Cancer Patients
Published on: September 9, 2020
Circulating Cell-Free DNA as a Potential Diagnostic Tool in Pancreatic Cancer: A Comparative Analysis
Romualdas Riauka1,2, Rita Kupcinskaite-Noreikiene3, Ingrida Grabauskyte4
1Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Introduction:
Liquid biopsies enable noninvasive tumor material sampling in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Genetic information, especially alterations in circulating free DNA (cfDNA) levels, might help predict poorer tumor differentiation, disease progression, and might be used as treatment efficacy evaluator. However, the data on this topic are insufficient.
Methods:
Newly diagnosed, PDAC patients without prior systemic treatment and chronic pancreatitis patients treated at the tertiary university hospital and healthy controls were included in this prospective study. Blood samples were collected pretreatment, and cfDNA was extracted and measured using necessary equipment according to manufacturer's protocols.
Results:
Fifty-seven patients (47 PDAC and 10 chronic pancreatitis) and 8 healthy controls were included. cfDNA levels were significantly higher in cancer patients compared to chronic pancreatitis (p = 0.032) and healthy controls (p < 0.001). The determined cfDNA cut-off value for distinguishing PDAC from chronic pancreatitis was 23.65 ng/mL and for distinguishing PDAC from healthy controls - 22.9 ng/mL. However, no distinctions in cfDNA levels were noted concerning tumor characteristics or survival rates.
Conclusion:
Liquid biopsies and alterations in cfDNA levels could aid in distinguishing PDAC from benign inflammatory diseases or healthy patients. Nonetheless, further studies are necessary for more comprehensive validation.
