Cell-free circulating tumor DNA in colorectal cancer: a proof of concept with simplified methodology.

Background: Cell-free DNA analysis (cfDNA) holds promise for residual disease or tumor burden quantification in colorectal cancer, with reduced costs and diagnostic equipment compared to gold standard-specific tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis.

Methods: This prospective case-control study included 46 colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls to perform cfDNA quantification by fluorometry using Quantus Fluorometer (Promega, Madison, WI) and using cell-free DNA ScreenTape assay (Agilent) and 4200 TapeStation instrument (Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA).