Circulating Biomarkers in Lymphoma Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Greystoke A, O'Connor J P B, Linton K, Taylor M B, Cummings J, Ward T, Maders F, Hughes A, Ranson M, Illidge T M, Radford J, Dive C
Primary Institution: The University of Manchester
Hypothesis
Baseline nDNA predicts treatment outcome and changes in nDNA levels during therapy act as pharmacodynamic and surrogate biomarkers of response.
Conclusion
Circulating biomarkers contribute useful information regarding tumour response and toxicity in patients receiving standard chemotherapy.
Supporting Evidence
- Baseline nDNA levels were significantly higher in lymphoma patients compared to healthy controls.
- Decreases in nDNA levels were observed in the first week after chemotherapy.
- Elevations in nDNA occurred in cases with progressive disease.
- Circulating CK18 increased within 48 hours of chemotherapy and was higher in patients with severe epithelial toxicity.
- FLT3 ligand was elevated within 3–8 days of chemotherapy initiation and predicted those who developed neutropenic sepsis.
Takeaway
Doctors can use blood tests to check for special markers that help them understand how well lymphoma treatments are working and if they are causing side effects.
Methodology
The study assessed circulating biomarkers in 49 lymphoma patients before and after chemotherapy, measuring levels of nucleosomal DNA, cytokeratin 18, and FLT3 ligand.
Limitations
The study was not designed or powered to assess the additional prognostic information given by determination of nDNA.
Participant Demographics
Patients included 13 with Hodgkin lymphoma, 10 with follicular lymphoma, and 26 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, with a median age of 69.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001 for baseline nDNA levels compared to healthy controls
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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