Suspended in Blood and Circulating Within, Cell Free (cf) DNA Connects with a Vast Range of Adverse Human Health Conditions Including Cancer: A Review.

Cell free DNA (cfDNA) is now emerging as potent biomarker in cancer diagnostics as well as an useful tool for non-invasive diagnostic methods related to a wide range of clinical conditions. Its extraction from blood is crucial to exploitation as a biomarker. Link of cfDNA has been established with a wide range of health conditions including autoimmune diseases, sepsis and trauma, heart diseases and dialytic processes. However, its utility in prenatal diagnosis has been one of the most widely investigated areas of research. Association of cfDNA with cancer and its methylation status as a potent prognostic marker is also assuming increasing significance in recent times. Its association with different forms of cancer with special reference to breast cancer is notable. A doubtful mammographic findings does indicate other testing that involve imaging techniques but the final diagnosis is established by a biopsy in particular to differentiate malignant from benign tumors. Although this is an established process that has considerably reduced mortality, several lacunae indicate the need for superior prognostic and diagnostic markers. In these contexts, cfDNA has been discussed in this review.