We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Fluidigm

Fluidigm Corporation focuses on the most pressing needs in translational and clinical research, including cancer, imm... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Blood Test Monitors Relapsed Serous Ovarian Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 09 Feb 2017
The development of blood biomarkers that can be used for early detection of cancer or to measure tumor burden and response to treatment is a major goal of translational cancer studies across all cancer types.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) carrying tumor-specific sequence alterations may provide a minimally invasive means to dynamically assess tumor burden and response to treatment in cancer patients.

Scientists at Cambridge University performed a retrospective analysis of serial plasma samples collected during routine clinical visits from 40 patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) undergoing heterogeneous standard of care treatment. More...
Patient-specific tumor protein p53 (TP53) assays were developed for 31 unique mutations identified in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor DNA from these patients.

Digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the Biomark microfluidic system. Total circulating cell-free DNA was measured as the TP53 total allele count (TP53TAC), the sum of estimated targets of mutated and wild-type copies of TP53 amplified by the assay primers. Serum CA-125 level was routinely monitored using a two-site sandwich immunoassay on a Siemens Centaur XP auto-analyzer (upper limit of normal ≤ 30 IU/ml).

The investigators found that the median TP53MAF prior to treatment in 51 relapsed treatment courses was 8% (interquartile range [IQR] 1.2%–22%) compared to 0.7% (IQR 0.3%–2.0%) for seven untreated newly diagnosed stage IIIC/IV patients. The ratio of TP53MAF to volume of disease was higher in relapsed patients than in untreated patients. In 49 treatment courses for relapsed disease, pre-treatment TP53MAF concentration, but not CA-125, was associated with time to progression (TTP). Specificity was improved when patients with recent drainage of ascites were excluded. Ascites drainage led to a reduction of TP53MAF concentration.

The authors concluded that ctDNA is correlated with volume of disease at the start of treatment in women with HGSOC and that a decrease of less than 60% in TP53MAF after one cycle of chemotherapy was associated with shorter TTP. These results provide evidence that ctDNA has the potential to be a highly specific early molecular response marker in HGSOC. James Brenton, MD, a medical oncologist and senior author of the study, said, “Though we’re at an early stage, the results are an exciting signal that levels of faulty DNA in the blood are related to the tumor size, and that changes in these levels could one day be a signpost for doctors and patients to decide if treatment is working for them.” The study was published on December 30, 2016, in the journal Public Library of Science Medicine.


New
Gold Member
Latex Test
SLE-Latex Test
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Gold Member
Serological Pipets
INTEGRA Serological Pipets
New
Silver Member
Quality Control Material
Multichem ID-B
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric leukemia ensures better outcomes for children with this common cancer (Photo courtesy of Qlucore)

RNA-Seq Based Diagnostic Test Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy of Pediatric Leukemia

A new unique test is set to reshape the way Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples can be analyzed. Qlucore (Lund, Sweden) has launched the first CE-marked RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.