Differential Methylation of Plasma Cell Free DNA: A Potential Asthma Biomarker?

Abstract:

Rationale Making a correct diagnosis of asthma is difficult. Methacholine testing is only available in large hospitals, is poorly repeatable and cannot be performed in children or individuals with severe lung disease. NICE recommends up to five tests per patient to secure an asthma diagnosis which is inconvenient and expensive. Therefore, a non-invasive biomarker of asthma is highly sought after. Biomarkers should display high specificity and sensitivity and be able to determine prognosis. Cell free DNA (cfDNA) holds promise for achieving these requirements. cfDNA are DNA fragments released into bodily fluids. cfDNA has proven utility as a biomarker in monitoring cancer dynamics and transplantation rejection, however these methods rely on genetic differences to distinguish between cancer/healthy and host/donor which is not relevant to pathogenic states without a strong genetic basis including asthma …

Año de publicación:

2020

Keywords:

Fuente:

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