Characterization of cell-free DNA fragmentation (DELFI) before and after high-dose radiotherapy for response assessment and outcome prediction.
Aim of the study
Measurement of DNA fragmentation in age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers as a baseline for normal background DNA fragmentation patterns and characterization of DNA fragmentation patterns before treatment and over time in H&N, breast, prostate and lung cancer and melanoma patients treated with high-dose radiotherapy (comparison with healthy subjects, within-group comparison).
Who can take part?
Patients with head and neck, breast, prostate and lung cancer as well as melanoma patients who have been treated with high-dose radiotherapy
Procedure
In this study, we investigate the fragmentation patterns of cfDNA in blood samples from two cohorts of cancer patients: 1) Patients with locally advanced but non-metastatic head and neck tumors and 2) Patients with limited metastatic disease (oligometastases) from various primary tumors. The blood samples are taken at four points in time: before, during and after radiotherapy as well as at the first follow-up examination in accordance with the clinical standards of the University Hospital Zurich. The fragmentation patterns are compared with those of healthy individuals to determine whether they are healthy or cancer-related patterns.
Compensation
None
Original study name
Characterization of cell-free DNA fragmentation (DELFI) before and after high-dose radiotherapy for response assessment and outcome prediction.
BASEC number
2020-00676
Financial support from
University of Zurich