Copy number profiling of circulating free DNA predicts transarterial chemoembolization response in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

• DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13170
• Publication Date: 2021-12-23T05:32:22Z
• Authors: Xiuqing Dong; Geng Chen; Xinghui Huang; Zhenli Li; Fang Peng; Hengkai Chen; Yang Zhou; Lei He; Liman Qiu; Zhixiong Cai; Jingfeng Liu; Xiaolong Liu
• Keywords: Lipiodol; Liquid biopsy

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most commonly used treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but still lacks accurate real-time biomarkers monitoring its therapeutic efficacy. Here, we explored whether copy number profiling of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) could be utilized to predict responses and prognosis in HCC patients with TACE treatment. In total, 266 plasma cfDNA samples were collected from 64 patients, 57 liver cirrhosis (LC) 32 healthy volunteers. We performed low-depth whole-genome sequencing (LD-WGS) on conduct variant (CNV) analysis tumour fraction (TFx) quantification. Then, correlation between TFx/CNVs efficacy, outcomes lipiodol deposition explored. The change TFx during was associated patients' burden, accurately earlier response prognosis, providing an alternative strategy other than mRECIST. Meanwhile, chromosomal 16q/NQO1 amplification indicated worse response; who underwent multiple sessions, their first reflected long-term survival; additionally, chromosome 1q, 3p, 6p, 8q, 10p, 12q, 18p or 18q affected deposition. Overall, have provided a new liquid biopsy approach future management patients.