AI Article Synopsis

  • The study explores the use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a non-invasive method to monitor endometrial cancer, aiming to identify unique tumor-specific DNA junctions that could indicate tumor burden and prognosis.
  • Whole-genome Mate-Pair sequencing was conducted on 11 patients with advanced endometrial cancer to find chromosomal rearrangements, and ctDNA levels were measured in pre- and post-surgery plasma samples using quantitative PCR.
  • Results showed ctDNA was present in 60% of samples before surgery and 27% after, with pre-surgical detection correlating with aggressive disease indicators, suggesting potential for ctDNA as a biomarker, but further research is needed for validation.

Article Abstract

Introduction: There are no reliable blood biomarkers for monitoring endometrial cancer patients in the current clinical practice. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is emerging as a promising non-invasive method to measure tumor burden, define prognosis and monitor disease status in many solid cancers. In this pilot study, we investigated if unique tumor-specific DNA junctions can be used to detect ctDNA levels in patients with endometrial cancer.

Methods: Chromosomal rearrangements in primary tumors of eleven patients with high-grade or advanced stage endometrial cancer were determined by whole-genome Mate-Pair sequencing. Identified unique tumor-specific junctions were evaluated in pre- and six-week post-surgery patient plasma using individualized quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays. The relationship between clinicopathological features and detection of ctDNA was investigated.

Results: CtDNA was detected in 60% (6/10) of cases pre-surgery and in 27% (3/11) post-surgery. The detection of ctDNA pre-surgery was consistent with clinical indicators of aggressive disease such as advanced stage (80% - 4/5), lymphatic spread of disease (100% - 3/3), serous histology (80% - 4/5), deep myometrial invasion (100% - 3/3), lympho-vascular space invasion (75% - 3/4). All patients in which ctDNA was detected post-surgically had type II endometrial cancer.

Discussion: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of using personalized tumor-specific junction panels for detecting ctDNA in the plasma of endometrial cancer patients. Larger studies and longer follow-up are needed to validate the potential association between pre-surgical ctDNA detection and the presence of cancers with aggressive pathologic tumor characteristics or advanced stage observed in this study.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8192008PMC
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0252390PLOS

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

endometrial cancer
16
advanced stage
12
personalized tumor-specific
8
tumor-specific dna
8
dna junctions
8
junctions detect
8
circulating tumor
8
patients endometrial
8
cancer patients
8
ctdna
8

Similar Publications

Purpose: This case report aims to present a rare case of endometrial carcinosarcoma, a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. The primary objective is to describe this unique case's clinical presentation, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, typical histopathological characteristics and surgical treatment.

Methods: A detailed analysis of the patient's medical history, preoperative imaging evaluation, and treatment approach was conducted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Lynch Syndrome: Similarities and Differences of Recommendations in Published Guidelines.

J Gastroenterol Hepatol

January 2025

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Background: In this review, we aimed to compare the recommendations for Lynch syndrome (LS).

Methods: We compared the LS's guidelines of different medical societies, including recommendations for cancer surveillance, aspirin treatment, and universal screening.

Results: Most guidelines for LS patients recommend intervals of 1-2 years for performing colonoscopy, though there is disagreement regarding the age to begin CRC screening (dependent on status as a MLH1/MSH2 or MSH6/PMS2 carrier).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent gynecologic cancer in the United States and has rising incidence and mortality. Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia or atypical endometrial hyperplasia (EIN-AEH), a precancerous neoplasm, is surgically managed with hysterectomy in patients who have completed childbearing because of risk of progression to cancer. Concurrent endometrial carcinoma (EC) is also present on hysterectomy specimens in up to 50% of cases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common gynaecological malignancy associated with metabolic dysfunctions such as obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance, as well as hormonal imbalances, particularly involving oestrogen and progesterone. These factors disrupt normal cellular metabolism, heightening the risk of developing endometrioid EC (EEC), the most prevalent subtype of EC. The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) pathway, a key regulator of growth, metabolism, and organ function, is implicated in EC progression.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Although grade is a well-recognised prognostic factor for endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC), in more studies grade 1 (G1) and grade 2 (G2) EEC are combined and compared together with grade 3 (G3) tumours. The aim of our study is to separately investigate the outcomes, prognostic factors and recurrence patterns of G2 EEC and whether the differentiation between G1 and G2 EEC is clinically useful. we retrospectively reviewed 523 patients with EEC treated with primary surgery over a decade (March 2010-January 2020) at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, focusing on those with G2 disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!