Seminal cell-free DNA assessment as a novel prostate cancer biomarker

Background: Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) includes circulating DNA fragments which can be obtained from different human biological samples. It originates from apoptotic and/or necrotic cells or it is actively secreted by cancer cells. To our knowledge the quantification and size distribution assessment of seminal plasma cfDNA from prostate cancer patients was never assessed. Objective: The aim of our study was to the identify identifation of a novel sensitive non-invasive biomarker of prostate cancer, through the fluorimetric quantification and the electrophoretic analysis of seminal cfDNA in healthy individuals and prostate cancer patients. Results: The concentration of seminal plasma cfDNA in prostate cancer patient was 2243.67 ± 1758 ng/µl. In healthy individuals was 57.7 ± 6.79 ng/µl. Electrophoresis showed broad difference between healthy individuals and patients who showed presented a distinct characteristic DNA ladder fragmentationsmear ranging from 100bp to 2000 10.000 bp. Conclusion: Human seminal fluid can be a valuable source of cfDNA in the setting of liquid biopsy procedures for the identification of novel oncological biomarkers. Seminal plasma cfDNA from prostate cancer patients is significantly more concentrated than from age-matched healthy controls. Fluorimetric measurement and electrophoretic assessment allow a reliable quantification and characterization of seminal plasma cfDNA, which can be used routinely in prostate cancer screening programs.