DNA Integrity Index as a Potential Molecular Biomarker in Colorectal Carcinoma

Abstract

olorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major health problems worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease involving both genetic and environmental factors. CRC has vague or nonspecific symptoms, so it is generally diagnosed in the advanced stage. Furthermore, the mortality of colorectal cancer is strongly related to the disease stage. Currently, the major available strategies for screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer include colonoscopy and stool-based testing. Histopathology examination via colonoscopy is considered as the golden standard. In addition, tumor markers like CEA and CA 19-9 are clinically used as routine tumor markers to monitor disease progression of colorectal cancer and response to treatment. Nevertheless, these markers have limited use in early diagnosis and cancer screening due to their low sensitivity and specificity. Since the conventional methods for CRC screening and diagnosis are either ineffective or invasive, more patient-friendly and less-invasive methods with high sensitivity and specificity are imperative. Several studies reported that quantitative analysis of cfDNA might be used as a potential molecular biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring response of treatment in several types of cancers including CRC.