Application of circulating DNA in colorectal cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Circulating DNA is defined as a kind of extracellular DNA that exists in plasma,cerebrospinal fluid and synovial fluid.The concentration of circulating DNA of cancer patients is significantly higher than that in healthy people.The genetic and epigenetic alterations of circulating cell-free nucleic acids are relevant to cancer development and progression,for example,gene mutation,DNA methylation and microsatellite instability and so on.The quantitative and qualitative detection of circulating DNA shows promising potential value in cancer screening,diagnosis,disease monitoring treatment and prognosis.