title: Free circulating DNA as a biomarker of colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of free circulating DNA (FCDNA) as a biomarker in patients suffering from colorectal cancer (CRC), investigating both its prognostic value correlated with stage of disease and its potential role in early recurrence diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The quantification of plasma DNA was achieved through the use of real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the RNAse P gene. The study enrolled patients undergoing surgery for primary CRC, at different stages of disease; samples were collected before surgery and during follow-up examinations every 3 months after surgery. Data were statistically analyzed using Software Packages SPSS® for Windows.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FCDNA was detectable in all pre-operative samples and the mean value was 47.8 ng/mL. FCDNA values increased progressively related to UICC stage of disease, although statistical significance was demonstrated only when comparing patients by pT stage. The analysis of postoperative samples showed a significant decrease of FCDNA quantity after radical surgery and in specific cases a rise preceding disease recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that absolute quantification of FCDNA in CRC patients could have a prognostic value, being related to stage of disease, and could be used as potential tool for early detection of recurrences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassinotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boni
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Segato
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rausei
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marzorati
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rovera
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianlorenzo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dionigi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: David
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mangano
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sambucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences Insubria, University of Insubria, Varese, 1st Division of Surgery Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dionigi
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004247:DNA
keywords: Biomarker; Colorectal cancer; Free circulating DNA