As liquid biopsies that analyze cell-free DNA (cfDNA) continue to gain traction in oncology, several companies are stepping up efforts to develop other noninvasive early cancer detection tests using similar biomarkers. One of the most promising approaches are tests that can detect abnormal DNA methylation associated with early-stage cancers. Here are some of the DNA methylation techniques in the pipeline based on the presentation of companies at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) virtual annual meeting in early June. The Diagnostic Promise Blood plasma contains cfDNA composed of fragmented DNA released by cells into the circulation, typically after the cell dies. If a patients have cancer, their plasma will include cfDNA released by tumor cells, aka, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Methylation analysis involves chemically treating cfDNA to convert unmethylated cystosine to uracil and identifying changes in next generation sequencing. Methylation patterns of ctDNA are consistent with the cells or tissues from whence they originate. Accordingly, ctDNA is a biomarker exhibiting cancer-specific and epigenetic aberrations which can be used as a surrogate source of tumor DNA in cancer diagnosis. And because methylation happens early in cancer development, ctDNA methylation patterns can be used to detect early-stage cancer. Bluestar Genomics During […]