Tracking the history of circulating nucleic acids for cancer research in Brazil: A systematic review

Authors

  • Mariana Chantre-Justino Laboratório de Marcadores Circulantes, Departamento de Patologia e Laboratórios, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
  • Lucas Delmonico Laboratório de Radiações em Biologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
  • Claudia Lage Laboratório de Radiações em Biologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
  • Maria G. C. Carvalho Laboratório de Patologia Molecular, Departamento de Patologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
  • Maria Helena F. Ornellas Laboratório de Marcadores Circulantes, Departamento de Patologia e Laboratórios, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
  • Gilda Alves Laboratório de Marcadores Circulantes, Departamento de Patologia e Laboratórios, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/bjhbs.2021.63966

Keywords:

Brazil, Cancer, Circulating nucleic acids, cfDNA, cfRNA, Liquid biopsy.

Abstract

Introduction: Circulating nucleic acids can be obtained
by minimally invasive procedures based on liquid biopsy,
which has emerged as a promising area of investigation for
screening and monitoring cancer treatment. Currently, tests
based on circulating nucleic acid analysis, specifically cellfree
DNA (cfDNA), are commercially available for diagnostic
and prognostic investigation of a number of neoplasms. Objective:
To describe the research on circulating nucleic acid
markers for cancer prospecting in Brazil, since this area has
advanced rapidly in recent years. Methods: In this systematic
review, we surveyed Brazilian publications in cancer research
focused on cfDNA and cfRNA present in different fluids. Both
MEDLINE-PUBMED and EMBASE databases were inspected
using terms such as “circulating nucleic acids”, “cancer”, and
“Brazil”. Results: The search returned 326 articles, in which
28 Brazilian translational studies were eligible. Different
methodologies were reported for different types of cancer,
in which cfDNA from plasma was the most investigated
biological material. Molecular investigations included quantification,
somatic mutation, RNA expression, genotyping,
microsatellites, blood protein interaction, and methylation.
Discrepancies in the regional distribution of the studies were
also observed. Conclusion: Studies on circulating nucleic acid
markers have advanced significantly in the oncology field,
but many others are needed to better address the clinical
practice in Brazil.

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Author Biographies

Mariana Chantre-Justino, Laboratório de Marcadores Circulantes, Departamento de Patologia e Laboratórios, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Laboratório de Marcadores Circulantes, Departamento de
Patologia e Laboratórios, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas,
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Lucas Delmonico, Laboratório de Radiações em Biologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Laboratório de Radiações em Biologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos
Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de
Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Claudia Lage, Laboratório de Radiações em Biologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Laboratório de Radiações em Biologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos
Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de
Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Maria G. C. Carvalho, Laboratório de Patologia Molecular, Departamento de Patologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Laboratório de Patologia Molecular, Departamento de Patologia,
Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade
Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Maria Helena F. Ornellas, Laboratório de Marcadores Circulantes, Departamento de Patologia e Laboratórios, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Laboratório de Marcadores Circulantes, Departamento de
Patologia e Laboratórios, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas,
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Gilda Alves, Laboratório de Marcadores Circulantes, Departamento de Patologia e Laboratórios, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Laboratório de Marcadores Circulantes, Departamento de
Patologia e Laboratórios, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas,
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

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Published

2022-03-04

How to Cite

1.
Chantre-Justino M, Delmonico L, Lage C, Carvalho MGC, Ornellas MHF, Alves G. Tracking the history of circulating nucleic acids for cancer research in Brazil: A systematic review. BJHBS [Internet]. 2022 Mar. 4 [cited 2025 May 14];20(2):135-43. Available from: https://www.e-publicacoes.uerj.br/bjhbs/article/view/63966

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Original Papers

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