An investigation of plasma cell-free RNA for the detection of colorectal cancer: From transcriptome marker selection to targeted validation.

Regular screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is critical for early detection and long-term survival. Despite the current screening options available and advancements in therapies there will be around 53,000 CRC related deaths this year. There is great interest in non-invasive alternatives such as p...

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Main Authors: Emmalee J Northrop-Albrecht, Chung Wah Wu, Calise K Berger, William R Taylor, Patrick H Foote, Karen A Doering, Anna M Gonser, Aditya Bhagwate, Zhifu Sun, Douglas W Mahoney, Kelli N Burger, Lisa A Boardman, John B Kisiel
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Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308711
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author Emmalee J Northrop-Albrecht
Chung Wah Wu
Calise K Berger
William R Taylor
Patrick H Foote
Karen A Doering
Anna M Gonser
Aditya Bhagwate
Zhifu Sun
Douglas W Mahoney
Kelli N Burger
Lisa A Boardman
John B Kisiel
author_facet Emmalee J Northrop-Albrecht
Chung Wah Wu
Calise K Berger
William R Taylor
Patrick H Foote
Karen A Doering
Anna M Gonser
Aditya Bhagwate
Zhifu Sun
Douglas W Mahoney
Kelli N Burger
Lisa A Boardman
John B Kisiel
author_sort Emmalee J Northrop-Albrecht
collection DOAJ
description Regular screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is critical for early detection and long-term survival. Despite the current screening options available and advancements in therapies there will be around 53,000 CRC related deaths this year. There is great interest in non-invasive alternatives such as plasma cell-free RNA (cfRNA) for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive applications. In the current study, our aim was to identify and validate potential cfRNA candidates to improve early CRC diagnosis. In phase 1 (n = 49; 25 controls, 24 cancers), discovery total RNA sequencing was performed. Select exons underwent validation in phase 2 (n = 73; 35 controls, 29 cancers, 9 adenomas) using targeted capture sequencing (n = 10,371 probes). In phase 3 (n = 57; 30 controls, 27 cancers), RT-qPCR was performed on previously identified candidates (n = 99). There were 895 exons that were differentially expressed (325 upregulated, 570 downregulated) among cancers versus controls. In phases 2 and 3, fewer markers were validated than expected in independent sets of patients, most of which were from previously published literature (FGA, FGB, GPR107, CDH3, and RP23AP7). In summary, we optimized laboratory processes and data analysis strategies which can serve as methodological framework for future plasma RNA studies beyond just the scope of CRC detection. Additionally, further exploration is needed in order to determine if the few cfRNA candidates identified in this study have clinical utility for early CRC detection. Over time, advancements in technologies, data analysis, and RNA preservation methods at time of collection may improve the biological and technical reproducibility of cfRNA biomarkers and enhance the feasibility of RNA-based liquid biopsies.
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spelling doaj-art-6d7a94ddfe824517a2e217f4cc9f03f02025-08-20T02:46:44ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-01198e030871110.1371/journal.pone.0308711An investigation of plasma cell-free RNA for the detection of colorectal cancer: From transcriptome marker selection to targeted validation.Emmalee J Northrop-AlbrechtChung Wah WuCalise K BergerWilliam R TaylorPatrick H FooteKaren A DoeringAnna M GonserAditya BhagwateZhifu SunDouglas W MahoneyKelli N BurgerLisa A BoardmanJohn B KisielRegular screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is critical for early detection and long-term survival. Despite the current screening options available and advancements in therapies there will be around 53,000 CRC related deaths this year. There is great interest in non-invasive alternatives such as plasma cell-free RNA (cfRNA) for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive applications. In the current study, our aim was to identify and validate potential cfRNA candidates to improve early CRC diagnosis. In phase 1 (n = 49; 25 controls, 24 cancers), discovery total RNA sequencing was performed. Select exons underwent validation in phase 2 (n = 73; 35 controls, 29 cancers, 9 adenomas) using targeted capture sequencing (n = 10,371 probes). In phase 3 (n = 57; 30 controls, 27 cancers), RT-qPCR was performed on previously identified candidates (n = 99). There were 895 exons that were differentially expressed (325 upregulated, 570 downregulated) among cancers versus controls. In phases 2 and 3, fewer markers were validated than expected in independent sets of patients, most of which were from previously published literature (FGA, FGB, GPR107, CDH3, and RP23AP7). In summary, we optimized laboratory processes and data analysis strategies which can serve as methodological framework for future plasma RNA studies beyond just the scope of CRC detection. Additionally, further exploration is needed in order to determine if the few cfRNA candidates identified in this study have clinical utility for early CRC detection. Over time, advancements in technologies, data analysis, and RNA preservation methods at time of collection may improve the biological and technical reproducibility of cfRNA biomarkers and enhance the feasibility of RNA-based liquid biopsies.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308711
spellingShingle Emmalee J Northrop-Albrecht
Chung Wah Wu
Calise K Berger
William R Taylor
Patrick H Foote
Karen A Doering
Anna M Gonser
Aditya Bhagwate
Zhifu Sun
Douglas W Mahoney
Kelli N Burger
Lisa A Boardman
John B Kisiel
An investigation of plasma cell-free RNA for the detection of colorectal cancer: From transcriptome marker selection to targeted validation.
PLoS ONE
title An investigation of plasma cell-free RNA for the detection of colorectal cancer: From transcriptome marker selection to targeted validation.
title_full An investigation of plasma cell-free RNA for the detection of colorectal cancer: From transcriptome marker selection to targeted validation.
title_fullStr An investigation of plasma cell-free RNA for the detection of colorectal cancer: From transcriptome marker selection to targeted validation.
title_full_unstemmed An investigation of plasma cell-free RNA for the detection of colorectal cancer: From transcriptome marker selection to targeted validation.
title_short An investigation of plasma cell-free RNA for the detection of colorectal cancer: From transcriptome marker selection to targeted validation.
title_sort investigation of plasma cell free rna for the detection of colorectal cancer from transcriptome marker selection to targeted validation
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308711
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