The main sources of circulating cell-free DNA: Apoptosis, necrosis and active secretion

Zijian Hu; Honghong Chen; Yanzhu Long; Ping Li; Yueqing Gu

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103166

The main sources of circulating cell-free DNA: Apoptosis, necrosis and active secretion

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2021 Jan:157:103166. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103166. Epub 2020 Nov 18.

Authors

Zijian Hu¹, Honghong Chen², Yanzhu Long³, Ping Li⁴, Yueqing Gu⁵

Affiliations

¹ In Vitro Diagnostic Experiment Group (Lung Cancer Detection), Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China. Electronic address: 3319081283@stu.cpu.edu.cn.
² In Vitro Diagnostic Experiment Group (Lung Cancer Detection), Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China. Electronic address: 1821081064@stu.cpu.edu.cn.
³ In Vitro Diagnostic Experiment Group (Lung Cancer Detection), Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China. Electronic address: 1242075431@qq.com.
⁴ In Vitro Diagnostic Experiment Group (Lung Cancer Detection), Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China. Electronic address: 791192590@qq.com.
⁵ In Vitro Diagnostic Experiment Group (Lung Cancer Detection), Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China. Electronic address: guengineering@cpu.edu.cn.

PMID: 33254039
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103166

Abstract

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as an emerging biomarker with huge potential for clinical application, especially in the field of liquid biopsy. The field is now in a critical transitional period in which cfDNA-based analysis is developing rapidly. No doubt learning more about the biological knowledge of cfDNA is beneficial to catalyze this transformation process. Therefore, in this review we have summarized the characteristics of cfDNA, including its structure and origin of tissues, in order to provide researchers with a more holistic insight of cfDNA. Subsequently, we focused on the pathways that cfDNA releases from cells, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and active secretion. Additionally, the clearance of cfDNA derived from both cellular death and active secretion in the physiological environment is also discussed. Finally, we have mentioned the link between cfDNA active secretion and tumor microenvironment.

Keywords: Active secretion; Apoptosis; Liquid biopsy; Necrosis; cfDNA.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Apoptosis / genetics
Biomarkers, Tumor
Bodily Secretions
Cell-Free Nucleic Acids*
Humans
Liquid Biopsy
Necrosis

Substances

Biomarkers, Tumor
Cell-Free Nucleic Acids