Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
06:53
Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
Published on: June 8, 2019
9.1K
Multi-Biofluid Approaches for cftDNA and cftRNA Biomarker Detection: Advances in Early Cancer Detection and
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, C. S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
|September 29, 2025
Summary
Cell-free tumor DNA (cftDNA) and RNA (cftRNA) show promise for early cancer detection. New technologies enable precise detection, paving the way for improved non-invasive cancer monitoring and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomarkers
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Oncology
Background:
- Cell-free tumor DNA (cftDNA) and cell-free tumor RNA (cftRNA) are released into the bloodstream by tumors.
- These circulating nucleic acids contain cancer-specific alterations, enabling non-invasive detection.
- Early detection via pre-diagnostic biomarker profiles is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current state-of-the-art detection strategies for cftDNA and cftRNA.
- To identify gaps in longitudinal sampling for biomarker profiling.
- To outline future research directions for multiomic liquid biopsy integration.
Main Methods:
- Review of current technologies for cftDNA and cftRNA quantification and detection.
- Discussion of advancements like spike-in controls for absolute quantification.
- Highlighting single-molecule resolution techniques (e.g., DNA-PAINT) and proteomics for origin identification.
Main Results:
- Current technologies offer sensitive quantification of cftDNA and cftRNA.
- Absolute quantification of single nucleosome-bound cftDNA is now achievable.
- Single-molecule detection of mutations and methylation patterns is possible, alongside tissue of origin identification.
Conclusions:
- Liquid biopsy using cftDNA and cftRNA holds significant potential for cancer diagnostics.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to establish pre-diagnostic biomarker profiles.
- Integrating multiomic approaches will enhance early diagnosis, monitoring, and relapse detection.
