Cell-free DNA

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.15936023160810

• Palavras-chave: Cell Free DNA; Early Cancer Detection; Prenatal cfDNA Screening

• Keywords: Cell Free DNA; Early Cancer Detection; Prenatal cfDNA Screening

• Abstract:

  Cell-free DNA, or cfDNA, has been increasingly recognized as an important biomarker in several areas of medicine. cfDNA circulates in the blood and other body fluids, originating from the apoptosis and necrosis of cells in the body. cfDNA analysis has shown promise in the early diagnosis of disease, in the follow-up of treatment and in the detection of cancer. Recently, technological advances have allowed the analysis of cfDNA with high sensitivity and specificity. The use of next generation sequencing techniques allows the detection of specific genetic mutations associated with different categories of cancer, allowing the development of more accurate and effective tests for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer (Bratulic, S. 2022). Furthermore, cfDNA analysis has been applied in other areas of medicine, such as detecting infectious diseases and monitoring organ transplants. cfDNA analysis also has the potential to be used as a non-invasive biomarker for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities.