Breast cancer detection using free circulating DNA

Abstract

Context: The prevalence of cancer and the mortality rate associated with it are on the rise, positioning it as the second most prevalent cause of death globally.   Female breast cancer and male prostate cancer are the most severe forms of cancer worldwide, particularly in Africa. However, there is a deficiency in the advancement of biomarkers for the timely identification and prediction of these illnesses.   The aim of this study was to assess the integrity of circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) and ascertain its potential utility as a diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker. Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) is fragmented DNA that is released into the blood plasma and then undergoes destruction.   Apoptosis is the sole source of ccfDNA in individuals who are in a state of well-being, leading to the generation of consistently sized and shorter fragments of DNA.   In individuals with cancer, necrosis produces cell-free DNA fragments that are both longer and irregular in size, as well as shorter fragments that result from apoptosis.

The clinical efficacy of DNA integrity, as measured by the proportion of longer DNA fragments to total DNA, could be substantial in identifying the advancement of breast and prostate cancer.

Methodology: The study included a sample of 64 females, divided equally into two groups: 32 breast cancer patients and 32 controls. In addition, there were a total of 61 guys, consisting of 31 individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer and 30 individuals serving as controls. Each participant provided 5 ml of peripheral blood, from which the sera were collected. The sera underwent real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to quantify the amounts of ALU 115 and 247. Additionally, the DNA integrity was assessed by calculating the ratio of ALU247 to ALU115.