Publications by authors named "Melissa Tuck"
BACKGROUNDTransrenal cell-free tumor DNA (TR-ctDNA), which transits from the bloodstream into urine, has the potential to enable noninvasive cancer detection for a wide variety of nonurologic cancer types.MethodsUsing whole-genome sequencing, we discovered that urine TR-ctDNA fragments across multiple cancer types are predominantly ultrashort (<50 bp) and, therefore, likely to be missed by conventional ctDNA assays. We developed an ultrashort droplet digital PCR assay to detect TR-ctDNA originating from HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC) and confirmed that assaying ultrashort DNA is critical for sensitive cancer detection from urine samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A blood assay measuring methylated BCAT1 and IKZF1 can detect recurrent colorectal cancer (CRC) with high sensitivity but suboptimal specificity. This study aimed to establish an upper reference limit (URL) of these biomarkers in a reference population without CRC, apply that threshold to detecting clinical recurrence in patients who had undergone definitive therapy for CRC, and compare the performance of the biomarkers with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).
Methods: The level of methylation was reported as the aggregate methylated BCAT1 and IKZF1 expressed as a percentage of total plasma DNA.
Evaluation of Circulating Tumor DNA for Methylated and to Detect Recurrence of Stage II/Stage III Colorectal Cancer (CRC).
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev
December 2020
Article Synopsis
- The study explored the use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) through the COLVERA assay for earlier detection of recurrent colorectal cancer in patients who had undergone treatment, comparing its effectiveness to the traditional carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test.
- Among 322 patients, COLVERA showed a sensitivity of 63% for detecting recurrences, while CEA had a sensitivity of 48%, although COLVERA was less specific (91.5%) compared to CEA (96.3%).
- The findings suggest that while COLVERA could potentially improve early diagnosis of cancer recurrence, further studies with longer follow-up and repeated tests are needed to confirm its clinical benefits.
The galactose oxidase-Schiff (GOS) reaction detects D-galactose-β-[1,3]-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. This is a T-antigen expressed in mucus from malignant cells and colonic mucosa adjacent to cancer but not in normal mucosa. Previous studies using a qualitative GOS assay proved to be of limited value for the detection of colorectal neoplasia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpecimen collection is an integral component of clinical research. Specimens from subjects with various stages of cancers or other conditions, as well as those without disease, are critical tools in the hunt for biomarkers, predictors, or tests that will detect serious diseases earlier or more readily than currently possible. Analytic methodologies evolve quickly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Advanced-stage follicular B-cell lymphoma is considered incurable. Anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy is effective in patients who have had a relapse after chemotherapy or who have refractory follicular lymphoma, but it has not been tested in previously untreated patients.
Methods: Seventy-six patients with stage III or IV follicular lymphoma received as initial therapy a single course of treatment with 131I-tositumomab therapy (registered as Tositumomab and Iodine I 131 Tositumomab [the Bexxar therapeutic regimen]).