title: Free circulating DNA as possible tumour marker in colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of free circulating DNA (CFDNA) as a potential tumour marker in patients suffering from colorectal cancer (CRC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The quantification of plasma DNA was determined through the use of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the RNAse P gene. We studied patients undergoing surgery for primary CRC, at different stages of disease and a cohort of comparable healthy donors. Data were statistically analysed using Student's t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean DNA index of the tumour samples was 4771 ng/ml, about 50 times higher in comparison with healthy donors (mean value 0.85 ng/ml). In contrast the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) value of these patients was altered in only 47% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that circulating free DNA levels in plasma of patients with CRC are significantly higher compared to healthy subjects, and suggest a new, non-invasive, approach for colon cancer detection and to identify high risk individuals for CRC screening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. luigi.boni@uninsubria.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boni
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassinotti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canziani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dionigi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rovera
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dionigi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm