Circulating Tumor DNA Detection by Digital-Droplet PCR in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review

Marisol Huerta; Susana Roselló; Luis Sabater; Ana Ferrer; Noelia Tarazona; Desamparados Roda; Valentina Gambardella; Clara Alfaro-Cervelló; Marina Garcés-Albir; Andrés Cervantes; Maider Ibarrola-Villava

doi:10.3390/cancers13050994

Cancers (Feb 2021)

Circulating Tumor DNA Detection by Digital-Droplet PCR in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review

Marisol Huerta,
Susana Roselló,
Luis Sabater,
Ana Ferrer,
Noelia Tarazona,
Desamparados Roda,
Valentina Gambardella,
Clara Alfaro-Cervelló,
Marina Garcés-Albir,
Andrés Cervantes,
Maider Ibarrola-Villava

Affiliations

Marisol Huerta: Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Susana Roselló: Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Luis Sabater: Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Unit, Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valencia, University of Valencia, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Ana Ferrer: Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Noelia Tarazona: Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Desamparados Roda: Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Valentina Gambardella: Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Clara Alfaro-Cervelló: Department of Pathology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Marina Garcés-Albir: Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Unit, Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valencia, University of Valencia, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Andrés Cervantes: Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Maider Ibarrola-Villava: Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13050994
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 5
p. 994

Abstract

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Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most devastating malignant tumors, being the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Researchers and clinicians are endeavoring to develop strategies for the early detection of the disease and the improvement of treatment results. Adequate biopsy is still challenging because of the pancreas’s poor anatomic location. Recently, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could be identified as a liquid biopsy tool with huge potential as a non-invasive biomarker in early diagnosis, prognosis and management of PC. ctDNA is released from apoptotic and necrotic cancer cells, as well as from living tumor cells and even circulating tumor cells, and it can reveal genetic and epigenetic alterations with tumor-specific and individual mutation and methylation profiles. However, ctDNA sensibility remains a limitation and the accuracy of ctDNA as a biomarker for PC is relatively low and cannot be currently used as a screening or diagnostic tool. Increasing evidence suggests that ctDNA is an interesting biomarker for predictive or prognosis studies, evaluating minimal residual disease, longitudinal follow-up and treatment management. Promising results have been published and therefore the objective of our review is to understand the current role and the future perspectives of ctDNA in PC.

Published in Cancers

ISSN: 2072-6694 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/cancers/

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