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Circulating cell-free DNA: A novel biomarker for response to therapy in ovarian carcinoma

Introduction: Cell-free DNA (CFDNA) is a reflection of both normal and tumor-derived DNA released into the circulation through cellular necrosis and apoptosis. We sought to determine whether tumor-specific plasma DNA could be used as a biomarker for tumor burden and response to therapy in an orthotopic ovarian cancer model. Methods: Female nude mice injected intraperitoneally with HeyA8 ovarian cancer cells were treated with either docetaxel alone or in combination with anti-angiogenic agents (AEE788 -- dual VEGFR and EGFR antagonist or EA5 – monoclonal antibody against ephrin A2). Following DNA extraction from plasma, quantification of tumor-specific DNA was performed by real-time PCR using human specific beta-actin primers. The number of genome equivalents (GE/ml) were determined from a standard curve. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining of treated tumors. Results: The levels of tumor-specific DNA in plasma increased progressively with increasing tumor burden (R2=0.8, p