Detection of diseases easier with cell-free DNA (cfDNA)
Recently researchers around the world are considering cell-free DNA: cfDNA as a useful tool to understand human diseases and to use the knowledge to improve diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis.
Cell-free DNA: cfDNA
- Most of the DNA in the genome of the human body is packaged in a very systematic manner inside cells with the help of specific proteins, which protect it from degradation.
- But some pieces of DNA are ‘released’ from their containers, and are present outside the cell, in body fluids.
- These short fragments of nucleic acid are known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA).
- cfDNA is released from cells mainly through apoptosis and necrosis and possibly also by active secretion.
- When a cell is dying and the nucleic acid is being degraded, then only the condition of cfDNA` arises. The half-life of cfDNA ranges from 16 minutes to 2.5 hours.
- The amount, size and source of cfDNA can also vary within a range. Furthermore, cfDNA release can occur with a variety of processes, including processes essential for normal development, some processes related to cancer development, and processes associated with many other diseases.
Uses of cfDNA:
Fetal examination –
- One of the most widely used applications of cfDNA is to examine the fetus for specific chromosomal abnormalities. This is known as non-invasive prenatal testing.
- The availability of affordable genome-sequencing systems will allow clinicians to sequence cfDNA fragments corresponding to fetal DNA.
Cancer Screening
- Another emerging use of cfDNA is in the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- cfDNA has many other uses as well. It can also be used to find out why a body is rejecting a transplanted organ.
- There have already been some reports suggesting that cfDNA may be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, neuronal tumors, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and may even be used as a biomarker for metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Source – The Hindu
