Identification and use of personalized genomic markers for monitoring circulating tumor DNA

• Digital PCR techniques are ideally suited for accurately quantifying trace amounts of target DNA sequences, such as tumor-derived mutant DNA that is present in the blood circulation of patients with cancer. Here, we describe an approach marrying low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of tumor tissues, to enumerate chromosomal rearrangement breakpoints, together with droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based personalized rearrangement assays to cost-effectively monitor circulating tumor DNA levels at multiple time-points during the clinical course. The method is generally applicable to essentially any cancer patient, as all cancers harbor unstable genomes, and may have uses for measuring minimal residual disease, response to therapy, and early detection of metastasis.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Medicinsk genetik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Medical Genetics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Cell-free circulating tumor DNA

Droplet digital PCR

Liquid biopsy

Noninvasive diagnosis

Personalized medicine

Whole-genome sequencing

Publication and Content Type

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