title: Use of cell free DNA in breast oncology.
abstract: Cell free DNA (cfDNA) are short fragments of nucleic acids present in circulation outside of cells. In patients with cancer, some portion of cfDNA is derived from tumor cells, termed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and contains the same mutations and genetic changes as the cancer. The development of new, more effective methods to detect these changes has led to increased interest in developing ctDNA as a biomarker for cancer. Here we will review current literature on the use of ctDNA, with an emphasis on breast cancer, for cancer detection, prognosis, monitoring response to therapy, and tracking the rise of new mutant subclones.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins, 600 N Wolfe St, Nelson 207, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: jcanzon1@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Jenna VanLiere
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Canzoniero
authors.affiliation: The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Johns Hopkins, 1650 Orleans Street, CRBI, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: bpark2@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Ben Ho
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm
keywords: Breast cancer; Cell free DNA; Circulating tumor DNA; Mutation