Comparison of methods for circulating cell-free DNA isolation using blood from cancer patients: impact on biomarker testing.

Background: The implementation of liquid biopsy for biomarker testing and response to treatment monitoring in cancer patients would presumable increase laboratory throughput, requiring the development of automated methods for circulating free DNA (cfDNA) isolation.

Methods: The present study compares the MagNA Pure Compact (MPC) Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit I and Maxwell RSC (MR) ccfDNA Plasma Kit and the later with QIAamp Circulating Nucleid Acid (QCNA) Kit using 57 plasma samples from cancer patients. cfDNA concentration was measured using the Qubit fluorometer.

Cetuximab in metastatic or recurrent head and neck cancer: the EXTREME trial.

Expression of EGF receptor (EGFR) is frequently elevated in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Cetuximab is an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody that has been shown to improve overall survival in patients with locally advanced SCCHN when combined with radiotherapy. Data from Phase II trials suggest an interesting activity of cetuximab in patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN who are refractory to cisplatin.