IntroductionThe current challenge on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is to finding a non-invasive biomarker for improving their diagnostic and therapeutic management. In the present study, we analyzed the clinical value of plasma levels of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and RNA (cfRNA) of two genes: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT).Materials and methodsWe recruited 82 patients with RCC, and 20 healthy subjects. Using RT-PCR techniques, plasma levels of cfDNA and cfRNA from hTERTandGAPDHgenes were quantified pre- and post-operatively, and one year after surgery. Relationships between such plasma levels and clinicopathological features and evolution of disease were analyzed.ResultsLevels ofGAPDHcfDNA and cfRNA were significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects. hTERTcfDNA was detected in plasma from 35% of RCC patients and in none healthy subject. At diagnosis, plasma levels ofGAPDHcfDNA were higher in advanced pT and TNM stages, and hTERTcfDNA in patients with 3–4 Fuhrman grade and affected lymph nodes. Levels of cfNAs were not related to the presence of metastasis. Following nephrectomy,GAPDHcfDNA levels dropped, and patients with higher levels before and after nephrectomy, showed lower overall survival (OS). However, Cox's multivariate model did not prove any association of the cfNA levels with progression.ConclusionPlasma levels of cfDNA fromGADPHand hTERTgenes were correlated to tumor diagnosis and progression and, thus, such analyses might help to diagnosis and prognosis of RCC patients.
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