Cell-free tumour DNA examined from body fluids facilitates cancer detection and monitoring
In Tays Cancer Centre, a lot of research related to the use of cell-free tumor DNA is conducted. Cell-free tumor DNA refers to DNA material that spreads from the tumor to the body. The broken cells of the tumor secrete genetic material into the blood and other body fluids, the presence of which can be studied, for example, from blood and urine samples. This reduces the need for invasive, i.e. tissue-invasive procedures.
When blood is tested, it is called circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). A sample taken from urine is called utDNA.
The examination of liquid samples is referred to in medicine as liquid biopsy. For example, sequencing methods are used to determine small concentrations of cell-free pieces of DNA that can be used to determine whether a patient has cancer. The test is usually very accurate, which means that a positive result is quite reliable. Sensitivity depends on the quantity and quality of tumor cells.
Liquid ctDNA can be used to monitor cancer recurrence or response to treatment in particular, but there are also several ongoing studies on use in screening.
“The price of tests has already become attractive for clinical use, but there is still little information on the effectiveness of monitoring and screening,” says gastrosurgeon and professor of cancer research Toni Seppälä.
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