Cell-free DNA and apoptosis: how dead cells inform about the living
E Heitzer, L Auinger, MR Speicher - Trends in molecular medicine, 2020 - cell.com
E Heitzer, L Auinger, MR Speicher
Trends in molecular medicine, 2020•cell.comCell-free DNA (cfDNA) is evolving into a widely used prognostic and predictive biomarker,
particularly in oncology. However, its versatile clinical use precedes a profound
understanding of the underlying biology of cfDNA release. There is much evidence to
suggest that cfDNA is mainly derived from dying (ie, apoptotic) cells. However, numerous
cancer studies have shown that cfDNA is informative about acquired resistance to given
therapies, which is present in living, proliferating tumor subclones. To explain this …
particularly in oncology. However, its versatile clinical use precedes a profound
understanding of the underlying biology of cfDNA release. There is much evidence to
suggest that cfDNA is mainly derived from dying (ie, apoptotic) cells. However, numerous
cancer studies have shown that cfDNA is informative about acquired resistance to given
therapies, which is present in living, proliferating tumor subclones. To explain this …
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is evolving into a widely used prognostic and predictive biomarker, particularly in oncology. However, its versatile clinical use precedes a profound understanding of the underlying biology of cfDNA release. There is much evidence to suggest that cfDNA is mainly derived from dying (i.e., apoptotic) cells. However, numerous cancer studies have shown that cfDNA is informative about acquired resistance to given therapies, which is present in living, proliferating tumor subclones. To explain this contradiction, we review current insights regarding cfDNA release, in particular the interplay between apoptosis and proliferation. We describe how improved knowledge about cfDNA biology could be used for novel therapeutic strategies and how this may affect patient management.
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