scholarly journals Epigenetic Biomarkers of Renal Cell Carcinoma for Liquid Biopsy Tests

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8846
Author(s):  
Raimonda Kubiliute ◽  
Sonata Jarmalaite
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Liquid Biopsy ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Epigenetic Biomarkers ◽  
Treatment Changes

Renal cell carcinomas (RCC) account for 2–3% of the global cancer burden and are characterized by the highest mortality rate among all genitourinary cancers. However, excluding conventional imagining approaches, there are no reliable diagnostic and prognostic tools available for clinical use at present. Liquid biopsies, such as urine, serum, and plasma, contain a significant amount of tumor-derived nucleic acids, which may serve as non-invasive biomarkers that are particularly useful for early cancer detection, follow-up, and personalization of treatment. Changes in epigenetic phenomena, such as DNA methylation level, expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), are observed early during cancer development and are easily detectable in biofluids when morphological changes are still undetermined by conventional diagnostic tools. Here, we reviewed recent advances made in the development of liquid biopsy-derived DNA methylation-, miRNAs- and lncRNAs-based biomarkers for RCC, with an emphasis on the performance characteristics. In the last two decades, a mass of circulating epigenetic biomarkers of RCC were suggested, however, most of the studies done thus far analyzed biomarkers selected from the literature, used relatively miniature, local, and heterogeneous cohorts, and suffered from a lack of sufficient validations. In summary, for improved translation into the clinical setting, there is considerable demand for the validation of the existing pool of RCC biomarkers and the discovery of novel ones with better performance and clinical utility.

scholarly journals DNA methylation markers detected in blood, stool, urine, and tissue in colorectal cancer: a systematic review of paired samples

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eivor Alette Laugsand ◽  
Siv Sellæg Brenne ◽  
Frank Skorpen
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Paired Samples

Abstract Purpose Methylated cell-free DNA in liquid biopsies are promising non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC). Optimal markers would have high sensitivity and specificity for early detection of CRC and could be detected in more than one type of material from the patient. We systematically reviewed the literature on DNA methylation markers of colorectal cancer, detected in more than one type of material, regarding their potential as contributors to a panel for screening and follow-up of CRC. Methods The databases MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched. Data extraction and review was performed by two authors independently. Agreement between methylation status in tissue and other materials (blood/stool/urine) was analyzed using the McNemar test and Cohen’s kappa. Results From the 51 included studies, we identified seven single markers with sensitivity ≥ 75% and specificity ≥ 90% for CRC. We also identified one promising plasma panel and two stool panels. The correspondence of methylation status was evaluated as very good for four markers, but only marginal for most of the other markers investigated (12 of 21). Conclusion The included studies reported only some of the variables and markers of interest and included few patients. Hence, a meta-analysis was not possible at this point. Larger, prospective studies must be designed to study the discordant detection of markers in tissue and liquid biopsies. When reporting their findings, such studies should use a standardized format.

scholarly journals A serum-based DNA methylation assay provides accurate detection of glioma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thais Sabedot ◽  
Tathiane Malta ◽  
James Snyder ◽  
Kevin Nelson ◽  
Michael Wells ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Liquid Biopsy ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Experimental Treatment ◽  
Cell Free Dna ◽  
Invasive Approach ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Free Dna

Abstract Background The detection of somatic mutations in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from liquid biopsy has emerged as a non-invasive tool to monitor the follow-up of cancer patients. However, the significance of cfDNA clinical utility remains uncertain in patients with brain tumors, primarily because of the limited sensitivity cfDNA has to detect real tumor-specific somatic mutations. This unresolved challenge has prevented accurate follow-up of glioma patients with non-invasive approaches. Methods Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of tumor tissue and serum cell-free DNA of glioma patients. Results Here, we developed a non-invasive approach to profile the DNA methylation status in the serum of patients with gliomas and identified a cfDNA-derived methylation signature that is associated with the presence of gliomas and related immune features. By testing the signature in an independent discovery and validation cohorts, we developed and verified a score metric (the “glioma epigenetic liquid biopsy score” or GeLB) that optimally distinguished patients with or without glioma (sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 97.78%). Furthermore, we found that changes in GeLB score reflected clinicopathological changes during surveillance (e.g., progression, pseudoprogression or response to standard or experimental treatment). Conclusions Our results suggest that the GeLB score can be used as a complementary approach to diagnose and follow up patients with glioma.

scholarly journals Liquid Biopsy: A Family of Possible Diagnostic Tools

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1391
Author(s):  
Battistelli Michela
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Biopsy ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Invasive Technique ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Functional Involvement ◽  
Invasive Evaluation

Liquid biopsies could be considered an excellent diagnostic tool, in different physiological or pathological conditions. The possibility of using liquid biopsies for non-invasive clinical purposes is quite an old idea: indeed many years ago it was already being used in the field of non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) for autosomal fetal aneuploidy evaluation. In 1997 Lo et al. had identified fetal DNA in maternal plasma and serum, showing that about 10–15% of cfDNA in maternal plasma is derived from the placenta, and biologic fluid represents an important and non-invasive technique to evaluate state diseases and possible therapies. Nowadays, several body fluids, such as blood, urine, saliva and other patient samples, could be used as liquid biopsy for clinical non-invasive evaluation. These fluids contain numerous and various biomarkers and could be used for the evaluation of pathological and non-pathological conditions. In this review we will analyze the different types of liquid biopsy, their potential role in clinical diagnosis and the functional involvement of extracellular vesicles in these fluids as carriers.

scholarly journals Identification of miR-20a-5p as Robust Normalizer for Urine microRNA Studies in Renal Cell Carcinoma and A Profile of Dysregulated microRNAs

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7913
Author(s):  
Julia Oto ◽  
Raquel Herranz ◽  
Emma Plana ◽  
José Vicente Sánchez-González ◽  
Javier Pérez-Ardavín ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Diagnostic Model ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Good Expression ◽  
Independent Cohort

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the third most frequent urinary malignancy and one of the most lethal. Current diagnostic and follow-up techniques are harmful and unspecific in low-grade tumors. Novel minimally invasive markers such as urine microRNAs (miRNAs) are under study. However, discrepancies arise among studies in part due to lack of consent regarding normalization. We aimed to identify the best miRNA normalizer for RCC studies performed in urine samples together with a miRNA profile with diagnostic value and another for follow-up. We evaluated the performance of 120 candidate miRNAs in the urine of 16 RCC patients and 16 healthy controls by RT-qPCR followed by a stability analysis with RefFinder. In this screening stage, miR-20a-5p arose as the most stably expressed miRNA in RCC and controls, with a good expression level. Its stability was validated in an independent cohort of 51 RCC patients and 32 controls. Using miR-20a-5p as normalizer, we adjusted and validated a diagnostic model for RCC with three miRNAs (miR-200a-3p, miR-34a-5p and miR-365a-3p) (AUC = 0.65; Confidence Interval 95% [0.51, 0.79], p = 0.043). let-7d-5p and miR-205-5p were also upregulated in patients compared to controls. Comparing RCC samples before surgery and fourteen weeks after, we identified let-7d-5p, miR-152-3p, miR-30c-5p, miR-362-3p and miR-30e-3p as potential follow-up profile for RCC. We identified validated targets of most miRNAs in the renal cell carcinoma pathway. This is the first study that identifies a robust normalizer for urine RCC miRNA studies, miR-20a-5p, which may allow the comparison of future studies among laboratories. Once confirmed in a larger independent cohort, the miRNAs profiles identified may improve the non-invasive diagnosis and follow-up of RCC.

scholarly journals A pilot study to establish non-invasive biomarkers for higher-grade meningioma

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv6-iv6
Author(s):  
Daniele Baiz ◽  
Caterina Negroni ◽  
Emanuela Ercolano ◽  
Claire L Adams ◽  
Kathreena M Kurian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Tumour Progression ◽  
Primary Tumour ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Malignant Tumours ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Benign Meningioma ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Serum Exosomes

Abstract Introduction Meningioma brain tumours are the most common primary tumour in adults. Despite surgery and/or radiation therapy, meningioma may recur. The 5-year recurrence rate in benign meningioma is estimated in about 10% while much greater in atypical and malignant tumours. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a large class of small RNAs driving regulation of gene expression and playing a role in tumour progression and therefore proposed as diagnostic tools. Moreover, miRNAs can be released from tumour cells into the blood stream via exosomes, showing potential to be used as liquid biopsies. Methods Identification of novel circulating biomarkers was conducted by performing an unbiased Cancer MicroRNA qPCR Array, followed by bioinformatics analysis. In parallel, we conducted a biased in silico analysis of the miRNAs targeting Cyclin D1 and E1, recently proposed as immunohistochemical meningioma biomarkers. Validation studies performed using TaqMan® reagents. Results Stringent unbiased (p<0.01) miRNA profiling followed by validation in ex vivo samples revealed that the miR-9-1 is upregulated in higher-grade meningioma tissues and serum exosomes, controlled by the EGFR/AP-1 axis and correlated with lower levels of E-Cadherin, a proposed biomarker for malignant meningioma. On the contrary, biased analysis, followed by validation in vitro and ex vivo, showed that the miR-497~195 cluster is downregulated in higher-grade meningioma tissues and serum exosomes, correlating with the overexpression of GATA-4, a novel meningioma tissue biomarker. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that both miR-497~195 and miR-9-1 show potential to become promising non-invasive biomarkers for higher-grade meningioma, reflecting their expression status in tissues. (DB and CN contributed equally).

scholarly journals 13-gene DNA Methylation Analysis from Oral Brushing: A Promising Non Invasive Tool in the Follow-up of Oral Cancer Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide B. Gissi ◽  
Achille Tarsitano ◽  
Andrea Gabusi ◽  
Roberto Rossi ◽  
Giuseppe Attardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Methylation Analysis ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Locoregional Relapse ◽  
Positive Score ◽  
Dna Methylation Analysis

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of a non-invasive sampling procedure based on 13-gene DNA methylation analysis in the follow-up of patients previously treated for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: The study population included 49 consecutive patients treated for OSCC. Oral brushing sample collection was performed at two different times: before any cancer treatment in the tumor mass and during patient follow-up almost 6 months after OSCC treatment, within the regenerative area after OSCC resection. Each sample was considered positive or negative in relation to a predefined cut-off value. Results: Before any cancer treatment, 47/49 specimens exceeded the score and were considered as positive. Six months after OSCC resection, 16/49 specimens also had positive scores in the samples collected from the regenerative area. During the follow-up period, 7/49 patients developed locoregional relapse: 6/7 patients had a positive score in the regenerative area after OSCC resection. The presence of a positive score after oral cancer treatment was the most powerful variable related to the appearance of locoregional relapse. Conclusion: 13-gene DNA methylation analysis by oral brushing may have a clinical application as a prognostic non-invasive tool in the follow-up of patients surgically treated for OSCC.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Biomarkers in Cell-Free DNA and Applications in Liquid Biopsy

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanxia Gai ◽  
Kun Sun
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Liquid Biopsy ◽  
Prenatal Testing ◽  
Digital Pcr ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Sequencing Technologies ◽  
Epigenetic Biomarkers ◽  
Free Circulating Dna ◽  
Epigenetic Biomarker ◽  
Fragmentation Patterns

Cell-free circulating DNA (cfDNA) in plasma has gained global interest as a diagnostic material for noninvasive prenatal testing and cancer diagnosis, or the so-called “liquid biopsy”. Recent studies have discovered a great number of valuable genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for cfDNA-based liquid biopsy. Considering that the genetic biomarkers, e.g., somatic mutations, usually vary from case to case in most cancer patients, epigenetic biomarkers that are generalizable across various samples thus possess certain advantages. In this study, we reviewed the most recent studies and advances on utilizing epigenetic biomarkers for liquid biopsies. We first reviewed more traditional methods of using tissue/cancer-specific DNA methylation biomarkers and digital PCR or sequencing technologies for cancer diagnosis, as well as tumor origin determination. In the second part, we discussed the emerging novel approaches for exploring the biological basis and clinical applications of cfDNA fragmentation patterns. We further provided our comments and points of view on the future directions on epigenetic biomarker development for cfDNA-based liquid biopsies.

scholarly journals The Translational Status of Cancer Liquid Biopsies

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinisa Bratulic ◽  
Francesco Gatto ◽  
Jens Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Liquid Biopsy ◽  
Tumor Tissue ◽  
Body Fluids ◽  
Precision Oncology ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Biomarker Research ◽  
Successes And Challenges

Abstract Precision oncology aims to tailor clinical decisions specifically to patients with the objective of improving treatment outcomes. This can be achieved by leveraging omics information for accurate molecular characterization of tumors. Tumor tissue biopsies are currently the main source of information for molecular profiling. However, biopsies are invasive and limited in resolving spatiotemporal heterogeneity in tumor tissues. Alternative non-invasive liquid biopsies can exploit patient’s body fluids to access multiple layers of tumor-specific biological information (genomes, epigenomes, transcriptomes, proteomes, metabolomes, circulating tumor cells, and exosomes). Analysis and integration of these large and diverse datasets using statistical and machine learning approaches can yield important insights into tumor biology and lead to discovery of new diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic biomarkers. Translation of these new diagnostic tools into standard clinical practice could transform oncology, as demonstrated by a number of liquid biopsy assays already entering clinical use. In this review, we highlight successes and challenges facing the rapidly evolving field of cancer biomarker research. Lay Summary Precision oncology aims to tailor clinical decisions specifically to patients with the objective of improving treatment outcomes. The discovery of biomarkers for precision oncology has been accelerated by high-throughput experimental and computational methods, which can inform fine-grained characterization of tumors for clinical decision-making. Moreover, advances in the liquid biopsy field allow non-invasive sampling of patient’s body fluids with the aim of analyzing circulating biomarkers, obviating the need for invasive tumor tissue biopsies. In this review, we highlight successes and challenges facing the rapidly evolving field of liquid biopsy cancer biomarker research.

scholarly journals Rational Development of Liquid Biopsy Analysis in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5825
Author(s):  
Kate I. Glennon ◽  
Mahafarin Maralani ◽  
Narges Abdian ◽  
Antoine Paccard ◽  
Laura Montermini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Liquid Biopsy ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
Circulating Tumor Dna ◽  
Precision Oncology ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Disease Evolution ◽  
Ctdna Analysis

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known for its variable clinical behavior and outcome, including heterogeneity in developing relapse or metastasis. Recent data highlighted the potential of somatic mutations as promising biomarkers for risk stratification in RCC. Likewise, the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for such informative somatic mutations (liquid biopsy) is considered an important advance for precision oncology in RCC, allowing to monitor molecular disease evolution in real time. However, our knowledge about the utility of ctDNA analysis in RCC is limited, in part due to the lack of RCC-appropriate assays for ctDNA analysis. Here, by interrogating different blood compartments in xenograft models, we identified plasma cell-free (cf) DNA and extracellular vesicles (ev) DNA enriched for RCC-associated ctDNA. Additionally, we developed sensitive targeted sequencing and bioinformatics workflows capable of detecting somatic mutations in RCC-relevant genes with allele frequencies ≥ 0.5%. Applying this assay to patient-matched tumor and liquid biopsies, we captured tumor mutations in cf- and ev-DNA fractions isolated from the blood, highlighting the potentials of both fractions for ctDNA analysis. Overall, our study presents an RCC-appropriate sequencing assay and workflow for ctDNA analysis and provides a proof of principle as to the feasibility of detecting tumor-specific mutations in liquid biopsy in RCC patients.

scholarly journals DNA Methylation of PI3K/AKT Pathway-Related Genes Predicts Outcome in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer: A Comprehensive Bioinformatics-Based Study

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 6354
Author(s):  
Inês Faleiro ◽  
Vânia Palma Roberto ◽  
Secil Demirkol Canli ◽  
Nicolas A. Fraunhoffer ◽  
Juan Iovanna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Prognostic Indicators ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Akt Pathway ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Epigenetic Biomarkers

Pancreatic cancer (PCA) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide with a 5-year survival rate of 9%. Despite the advances in the field, the need for an earlier detection and effective therapies is paramount. PCA high heterogeneity suggests that epigenetic alterations play a key role in tumour development. However, only few epigenetic biomarkers or therapeutic targets have been identified so far. Here we explored the potential of distinct DNA methylation signatures as biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of PCA. PI3K/AKT-related genes differentially expressed in PCA were identified using the Pancreatic Expression Database (n = 153). Methylation data from PCA patients was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (n = 183), crossed with clinical data to evaluate the biomarker potential of the epigenetic signatures identified and validated in independent cohorts. The majority of selected genes presented higher expression and hypomethylation in tumour tissue. The methylation signatures of specific genes in the PI3K/AKT pathway could distinguish normal from malignant tissue at initial disease stages with AUC > 0.8, revealing their potential as PCA diagnostic tools. ITGA4, SFN, ITGA2, and PIK3R1 methylation levels could be independent prognostic indicators of patients’ survival. Methylation status of SFN and PIK3R1 were also associated with disease recurrence. Our study reveals that the methylation levels of PIK3/AKT genes involved in PCA could be used to diagnose and predict patients’ clinical outcome with high sensitivity and specificity. These results provide new evidence of the potential of epigenetic alterations as biomarkers for disease screening and management and highlight possible therapeutic targets.

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