ccfDNA

Question 1

ccfDNA

Answer 1

1). Stands for circulating cell-free DNA

2). It’s genetic material found floating freely in a person’s bloodstream.

3). This DNA originates from cells that have died and released their contents into the circulation.

4). While most cells have a nucleus containing their DNA, ccfDNA fragments are much smaller and lack a surrounding membrane.

Question 1

Most ccfDNA comes from normal cellular wear and tear. However, in some cases, it can also originate from:

Answer 1

1). Tumor cells: Cancerous cells tend to have a higher turnover rate, releasing more ccfDNA into the bloodstream. The presence of tumor-derived ccfDNA, known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), holds promise for cancer diagnostics and monitoring.

2). Fetal cells during pregnancy: Pregnant women have a small amount of ccfDNA from the developing fetus circulating in their blood. This is the basis for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) used to screen for chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.