METHODS FOR DETECTING RARE CIRCULATING CANCER CELLS USING DNA METHYLATION BIOMARKERS

摘要

Provided are new and improved methods for detecting circulating tumor cells and tumor cell DNA in patient blood or other biofluid samples. Particular aspects comprise three steps: DNA extraction from patient samples, DNA digestion with multiple selected methylation-sensitive enzymes, and target amplification by a conventional or a real-time PCR with specific probe and/or primers. Also provided are a total of 40 tumor-specific DNA methylation loci as biomarkers having substantial utility and specificity in major types of human malignancies including hematopoietic and solid tumors.