Circulating free DNA and its potential in the diagnostics and therapy of malignant lymphoma

Czech version

Authors: S. Hricko ¹; V.- Navrkalová ^{1 3}; A. Janíková ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Interní hematologická a onkologická klinika LF MU a FN Brno ¹; Centrum molekulární medicíny, CEITEC MU – Středoevropský technologický institut, MU Brno ²; Ústav lékařské genetiky a genomiky, LF MU Brno ³
Published in: Klin Onkol 2023; 37(4): 273-280
Category: Reviews

Overview

Background: Malignant lymphomas represent a highly heterogeneous group of tumors with varied clinical behavior – from indolent to very aggressive forms with survival in the order of months. From the very beginning, these diseases are considered systemic, often occurring in several anatomical locations simultaneously. However, diagnosis and exact classification are usually inferred from a biopsy of a single pathological lymph node or infiltrate, even though clinical experience shows that the biological behavior of lymphoma is not necessarily identical across anatomical locations. In an effort to address this issue as well as the problem of biopsy of not easily accessible compartments, circulating free DNA (cfDNA), which contains circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) released from dead tumor cells, has been extensively studied in recent years. This DNA is easily accessible from liquid biopsies such as blood or other patient‘s bodily fluids.

Purpose: This article summarizes current scientific knowledge on cfDNA and ctDNA, particularly in the context of malignant lymphoma, and foreshadows its potential future uses.

Conclusion: Detection and analysis of cfDNA represents a new approach that can lead to future improvements in all phases of lymphoma treatment from diagnostics to minimal residual disease monitoring.

Keywords:

Circulating tumor DNA – malignant lymphoma – liquid biopsy – minimal residual disease – circulating free DNA – disease monitoring

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Clinical Oncology

2023 Issue 4