Topic Highlight
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 28, 2014; 20(4): 957-967
Published online Jan 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i4.957
Figure 1
Figure 1 Hypothesis for circulating free DNA development. The primary tumor releases cells into the bloodstream or intestinal lumen. In healthy individuals, apoptosis and necrosis are the main pathways linked to cell degradation and, consequentially, to DNA fragmentation. In cancer patients, in addition to the aforementioned necrosis and apoptosis, there would seem to be abnormal mechanisms of DNA degradation or secretion that increase levels and fragmentation of DNA. CTC: Circulating tumor cells.