Novel Insights into Preclinical Oncology: Can Blood-Based Genomics Predict Cancer Years in Advance ?
Keywords:
Blood-based genomics, Circulating tumor DNA, Cell-free DNA, DNA methylation, FragmentomicsAbstract
Cancer diagnosis at an early stage is essential to enhance prognosis since traditional diagnostic techniques usually detect the tumor at a late stage. The blood-based genomics such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and DNA methylation provide a less invasive solution to identify preclinically occurring malignancies. With ultra-sensitive sequencing and methylation-based assay, it is possible to detect cancer-specific molecular signatures in plasma, which can be used to detect multi-cancer early detection (MCED) with high specificity and moderate sensitivity. Fragmentomic profiling is also more predictive by considering the length of the fragments of the DNA and the pattern on the genomic structure, enabling accurate identification of the tissue-of-origin. Despite all issues still persisting, such as small ctDNA content in early tumors, technical and bioinformatics, cost and ethical issues on the detection of malignancy in non-symptomatic individuals. Genomic approaches targeting blood-based biomarkers would be a game changer in the oncology by presenting a golden opportunity of treating patients and saving their lives by providing early intervention.
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