国際個別化医療学会

　Development of molecular markers of cancer is important for the early detection, prognostication, and monitoring of cancer. Recently, there has been much interest in the potential use of circulating nucleic acids (Free DNA) in plasma as markers for monitoring of cancer. One of tumor-associated change has been observed in the circulating nucleic acids of cancer patients. These changes include mutation, DNA methylation of cancer related genes and concentration of free DNA. In addition, analysis of expression of cancer related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) such as monocytes and macrophages can be potential for monitoring of cancer. In this review, as unique approaches, detection of tumor-associated changes in circulating nucleic acids such as DNA/RNA in plasma and their potential applications as tumor markers are discussed.

■Key words：Free DNA, Cancer, Mutation, DNA methylation, Gene Expression, PBMC
■連絡先　Gene Diagnosis Center, Gene Science Co. Ltd.
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