Elevated Level of Cell-Free Plasma DNA is Associated with Advanced-Stage Breast Cancer

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in the female population and its early diagnosis is important for the success of treatment. Tumor cell-free DNA (cfDNA) circulating in plasma has been suggested as a new potential cancer biomarker. The aim of this study was to quantify the level of plasma cfDNA in plasma of patients with breast carcinoma and determine its correlation with prognostic factors for the disease outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 65 women with primary breast cancer and from 29 healthy female controls. Circulatory cfDNA was extracted from the samples and quantified by real-time quantitative PCR for HBB. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of cfDNA 32. 85 ng/ml-1 in breast cancer patients and 17. 08 ng/ml-1 in healthy controls (p=0. 02). Patients with metastatic disease had higher concentrations of cfDNA than patients without metastasis (p=0. 03). No correlation was found between cfDNA concentrations and breast cancer prognostic factors such as hormonal receptors and HER2 status. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We concluded that the levels of cfDNA are elevated in patients with breast carcinoma. These values are associated with the presence of metastases and advanced-stage tumors. The role of cfDNA as a potential biomarker in breast cancer is suggested.