title: Circulating Cell-Free Tumour DNA in the Management of Cancer.
abstract: With the development of new sensitive molecular techniques, circulating cell-free tumour DNA containing mutations can be identified in the plasma of cancer patients. The applications of this technology may result in significant changes to the care and management of cancer patients. Whilst, currently, these "liquid biopsies" are used to supplement the histological diagnosis of cancer and metastatic disease, in the future these assays may replace the need for invasive procedures. Applications include the monitoring of tumour burden, the monitoring of minimal residual disease, monitoring of tumour heterogeneity, monitoring of molecular resistance and early diagnosis of tumours and metastatic disease.
authors.affiliation: Director Pathology, Genomics for Life, Herston 4006, Australia. gfrancis@genomicsforlife.com.au.|School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4215, Australia. gfrancis@genomicsforlife.com.au.|Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia 4067, Australia. gfrancis@genomicsforlife.com.au.
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Director, Genomics for Life, Herston 4006, Australia. srstein@genomicsforlife.com.au.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm
keywords: cell-free DNA; cell-free tumour DNA; colorectal carcinoma; liquid biopsy; melanoma; minimal residual disease; non-small cell lung cancer