Clinical utility of circulating tumor DNA for molecular assessment in pancreatic cancer

Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 16:5:18425. doi: 10.1038/srep18425.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies. The genomic landscape of the PDAC genome features four frequently mutated genes (KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4) and dozens of candidate driver genes altered at low frequency, including potential clinical targets. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a promising resource to detect and monitor molecular characteristics of tumors. In the present study, we determined the mutational status of KRAS in plasma cfDNA using multiplex picoliter-droplet digital PCR in 259 patients with PDAC. We constructed a novel modified SureSelect-KAPA-Illumina platform and an original panel of 60 genes. We then performed targeted deep sequencing of cfDNA and matched germline DNA samples in 48 patients who had ≥1% mutant allele frequencies of KRAS in plasma cfDNA. Importantly, potentially targetable somatic mutations were identified in 14 of 48 patients (29.2%) examined by targeted deep sequencing of cfDNA. We also analyzed somatic copy number alterations based on the targeted sequencing data using our in-house algorithm, and potentially targetable amplifications were detected. Assessment of mutations and copy number alterations in plasma cfDNA may provide a prognostic and diagnostic tool to assist decisions regarding optimal therapeutic strategies for PDAC patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / blood
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal* / genetics
  • DNA, Neoplasm* / blood
  • DNA, Neoplasm* / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / blood
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)