Digital PCR Analysis of Methylated Circulating Tumor DNA

Methods for analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in a fast, quantitative, and reproducible way may help clinical implementation. Analyses of ctDNA can be performed without prior analysis of tumor tissue from patients by using tumor-specific methylations as targets. Digital PCR measurements are quantitative and enable the possibility to monitor dynamics of ctDNA during treatment, which has been shown to correlate with patient outcome. The protocol describes methylation analysis of plasma samples where results are available in a timely manner providing the opportunity to adjust treatment of cancer patients.