title: Cell-free nucleic acids as biomarkers in cancer patients.
abstract: DNA, mRNA and microRNA are released and circulate in the blood of cancer patients. Changes in the levels of circulating nucleic acids have been associated with tumour burden and malignant progression. In the past decade a wealth of information indicating the potential use of circulating nucleic acids for cancer screening, prognosis and monitoring of the efficacy of anticancer therapies has emerged. In this Review, we discuss these findings with a specific focus on the clinical utility of cell-free nucleic acids as blood biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tumour Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20246, Germany.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schwarzenbach
authors.forename: Dave S B
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hoon
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pantel
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood*; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004279:DNA, Viral; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA