Cell-free tumor DNA in plasma to monitor solid cancer

Solid cancers release tumor cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in blood plasma. Moreover its detection can be used to early monitoring of disease recurrence, metastasis and response to therapies. In our research group, we are collaborating with leading clinical oncologists in order to validate an develop new detection methods of tumor cfDNA based on molecular aberrations which cancer-specific. We are using next generation genomic technologies and disease models to pre-clinical and clinical test of such methods. The TFM project will be integrated in this effort, whose main aim is to give a better cancer diagnosis and treatment of patients using non-invasive approaches.