It is now widely accepted that there is a need for the development of molecular markers of cancer that can be used for clinical prognostication and monitoring. Approximately a decade ago tumour-derived circulating nucleic acids in the plasma or serum (CNAPS) of cancer patients were introduced as a non-invasive tool for cancer detection.
The 7th International Conference on Circulating Nucleic Acids in Plasma and Serum (CNAPS VII) reviewed the various types of CNAPS of patients with solid neoplasias (genetic alterations in circulating DNA, microsatellites, methylated DNA, viral DNA, nucleosomes, mitochondrial DNA and cell-free mRNA) and their putative potential as a tool for therapy monitoring during follow-up or even as prognostic or predictive parameter.
With rapid technical improvement and well-designed studies the next years will see CNAPS analysis integrated in the prognostication and monitoring of cancer patients, thus producing more specific treatment regimens for patients with various stages of neoplastic disease and ultimately longer survival and better quality of life.
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