Plasma Cell-Free DNA as a Predictive Marker after Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
10.3349/ymj.2018.59.4.470
- Author:
Sangjoon PARK
1
;
Eun Jung LEE
;
Chai Hong RIM
;
Jinsil SEONG
Author Information
1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. JSSEONG@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Biomarkers;
tumor;
cell-free DNA;
hepatocellular carcinoma;
radiotherapy;
treatment
- MeSH:
Biomarkers;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*;
Cohort Studies;
DNA*;
Humans;
Plasma*;
Portal Vein;
Prospective Studies;
Radiotherapy*;
Thrombosis
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2018;59(4):470-479
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is gaining attention as a novel biomarker for oncologic outcomes. We investigated the clinical significance of cfDNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients with HCC who received RT were recruited from two prospective study cohorts: one cohort of 34 patients who underwent conventionally fractionated RT and a second of 21 patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy. cfDNA was extracted and quantified. RESULTS: In total, 30% of the patients had multiple tumors, 77% had tumors >2 cm, and 32% had portal vein tumor thrombus. Optimal cut-off values for cfDNA levels (33.65 ng/mL and 37.25 ng/mL, before and after RT) were used to divide patients into low-DNA (LDNA) and high-DNA (HDNA) groups. The pre-RT HDNA group tended to have more advanced disease and larger tumors (p=0.049 and p=0.017, respectively). Tumor response, intrahepatic failure-free rates, and local control (LC) rates were significantly better in the post-RT LDNA group (p=0.017, p=0.035, and p=0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Quantitative analysis of cfDNA was feasible in our cohorts. Post-RT cfDNA levels were negatively correlated with treatment outcomes, indicating the potential for the use of post-RT cfDNA levels as an early predictor of treatment responses and LC after RT for HCC patients.
