title: A blood-based DNA test for colorectal cancer screening.
abstract: Early detection of colorectal tumors through the identification of mutant DNA in serum or plasma could have a substantial impact on morbidity and mortality. Somatic mutations are specific biomarkers for neoplastic cells, but their detection requires sensitive assays, as the number of circulating mutant molecules is small compared to the number of normal DNA molecules. A newly developed method can provide this sensitivity and at the same time precisely quantify the fraction of mutant molecules present in the clinical sample. Using this technology, it has been found that more than half of patients with early stage disease contain mutant DNA in their circulation.
authors.affiliation: The Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 1650 Orleans Street, CRB520, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Diehl
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004247:DNA