Levels of circulating cell-free nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in benign and malignant ovarian tumors.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To analyze the levels of circulating cell-free nuclear DNA and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in patients with benign and malignant ovarian tumors using a gold-standard assay and to investigate whether quantitative alterations of the circulating cell-free species have values in the management of the patients.

METHODS:

One hundred four patients were recruited for this study. We developed a quantitative, multiplex polymerase chain reaction to measure the levels of circulating cell-free nuclear DNA and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in serum and plasma of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, benign epithelial ovarian tumors, or endometriosis. The levels of the circulating cell-free DNA were compared with those of a healthy, age-matched control group.

RESULTS:

The patients with epithelial ovarian cancer had significantly higher amounts of circulating cell-free nuclear DNA and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in plasma compared with the healthy control group (mean of nuclear DNA 10,723/2,591 and mean of mitochondrial DNA 4,918,978/2,294,264, P=.009 and 0.022, respectively) and with the other group with benign ovarian diseases (mean of nuclear DNA 10,723/2,965 and mean of mitochondrial DNA 4,918,978/1,597,551, P=.027 and 0.002, respectively). However, no relationship between levels of the circulating cell-free DNA and the pathological parameters as well as CA 125 measurement in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer was found. A significant difference between the epithelial ovarian cancer and endometriosis group was found in circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA but not in circulating cell-free nuclear DNA (mean of mitochondrial DNA 4,918,978/2,273,988 and mean of nuclear DNA 10,723/3,291, P=.013 and 0.105, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

Elevated levels of circulating cell-free nuclear DNA and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in epithelial ovarian cancer may have diagnostic value. Our finding suggests that the circulating molecules might be potential biomarkers in the disease.

• Authors: Rebecca R Zachariah, Seraina Schmid, Nicole Buerki, Ramin Radpour, Wolfgang Holzgreve, Xiaoyan Zhong
• Journal: Obstetrics and gynecology (Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 112 Issue 4 Pg. 843-50 (Oct 2008) ISSN: 0029-7844 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18827127 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• DNA, Mitochondrial
• DNA, Neoplasm

Topics

• Adult
• Biomarkers, Tumor (blood)
• Cell-Free System (chemistry)
• DNA, Mitochondrial (blood)
• DNA, Neoplasm (blood)
• Endometriosis (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Ovarian Neoplasms (blood)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (methods)
• ROC Curve