Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) includes circulating DNA fragments, which can be obtained from different human biological samples. cfDNA originates either from apoptotic and/or necrotic cells or is actively secreted by cancer cells. As yet, a quantification and size distribution assessment of seminal plasma cfDNA from prostate cancer patients has never been assessed. To discover a novel, sensitive, non-invasive biomarker of prostate cancer, through the fluorometric quantification and the electrophoretic analysis of seminal cfDNA in prostate cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. The concentration of seminal plasma cfDNA in prostate cancer patients was 2243.67 ± 1758 ng/μl, compared to 57.7 ± 4.8 ng/μl in healthy individuals (p < 0.05). Electrophoresis sites distribution patterns were different; ladder fragmentation was associated with prostate cancer patients and apoptotic electrophoretic fragmentation with healthy individuals. Human seminal fluid can be a valuable source of cfDNA in the setting of liquid biopsy procedures for the identification of novel oncological biomarkers. Seminal plasma cfDNA in prostate cancer patients is significantly more concentrated than that of age-matched, healthy controls. Fluorometric measurement and electrophoretic assessment allow a reliable quantification and characterization of seminal plasma cfDNA, which can be used routinely in prostate cancer screening programs.
Pathology oncology research : POR. 2018 May 05 [Epub ahead of print]
Giovanni Ponti, Monia Maccaferri, Mauro Mandrioli, Marco Manfredini, Salvatore Micali, Michele Cotugno, Giampaolo Bianchi, Tomris Ozben, Giovanni Pellacani, Chiara Del Prete, Aldo Tomasi
Department of Diagnostic and Clinical Medicine and Public Health, Division of Clinical Pathology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. ., Department of Diagnostic and Clinical Medicine and Public Health, Division of Clinical Pathology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy., Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy., Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Dermatology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy., Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Division of Urology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy., Biochemistry Department, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.