Other Body Fluids as Non-invasive Sources of Cell-Free DNA/RNA

Abstract

In addition to plasma and serum as sources of nucleic acids circulating in the whole body, amniotic fluid, saliva, urine, pleural effusion, bronchial lavage, bronchial aspirates, breast milk, colostrums, tears, seminal fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural effusion and stools are all available for minimally invasive analysis of nucleic acids. This chapter introduces the possibilities of using nucleic acids from amniotic fluid, saliva, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and bronchial lavage/aspirates in attempts to produce reliable early markers for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring using minimally invasive methodology. Moreover, the data from amniotic fluid can be used also to further the understanding of normal and abnormal fetal development in utero. In addition, the data from saliva can be employed for monitoring the progress of premature born infants.