Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco have discovered a new way to gauge the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

By analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from patients, they were able to identify specific genetic mutations that indicated if a treatment was working or not.

What is cell-free DNA?

Cell-free DNA refers to the DNA that circulates in the bloodstream and other bodily fluids. It is released into the bloodstream when cells die and break down.

In cancer patients, the cfDNA contains fragments of tumor DNA, which can be used to track the progression of the disease and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Current methods of monitoring cancer

Currently, cancer is monitored using imaging tests, such as PET scans, CT scans, and MRIs. These tests can show if the tumors are shrinking or growing, but they do not provide information on the genetic mutations that are driving the cancer.

This information is important because it can help doctors choose the most effective treatment for each patient.

The new method of monitoring cancer

The new method of monitoring cancer developed by the researchers at UCSF involves analyzing the cfDNA from patients.

By using high-throughput sequencing to analyze the cfDNA, they were able to identify specific genetic mutations that were present in the tumor DNA. These mutations were then tracked over time to see if they were increasing or decreasing in frequency.

How effective is the new method?

The new method of monitoring cancer was tested on a small group of prostate cancer patients who were undergoing treatment. The researchers found that the genetic mutations identified in the cfDNA were highly predictive of treatment response.

Patients whose tumors had fewer mutations in the cfDNA had a better response to treatment than those with more mutations.

Why is this important?

This new method of monitoring cancer could have a significant impact on how cancer is treated.

By providing doctors with information on the genetic mutations that are driving the cancer, they can choose treatments that are specifically targeted to those mutations. This can lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects. Additionally, the method is less invasive than imaging tests, as it simply requires a blood sample.

Future directions

The researchers at UCSF plan to test the new method on larger groups of patients with a variety of different types of cancer. They also plan to develop a clinical-grade test that can be used in hospitals and clinics to monitor cancer patients.

This could lead to more personalized treatments for cancer patients, based on their specific genetic mutations.

Conclusion

The discovery of this new method of monitoring cancer is an exciting development in the field of oncology.

By providing doctors with more information on the specific genetic mutations that are driving a patient’s cancer, they can choose more targeted and effective treatments. The method is less invasive than current monitoring methods and has the potential to lead to significant improvements in patient outcomes.