Mayo Clinic Laboratory and Pathology Research Roundup: March 19

By Kelley Luedke • March 19, 2018

The Research Roundup provides an overview of the past week’s research from Mayo Medical Laboratories consultants, including featured abstracts and complete list of published studies and reviews.

Featured Abstract

Analysis of Cell-Free DNA to Assess Risk of Tumoremia Following Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine-Needle Aspiration of Pancreatic Adenocarcinomas

Cellular and nuclear material from tumors disseminates into the bloodstream (tumoremia), but it is not clear whether medical procedures cause release of this material or contribute to formation of metastases. Mayo Clinic researchers performed a prospective study of blood samples from patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to determine whether endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) associates with markers of tumoremia. In patients with PDAC, EUS-FNA associates with increased plasma concentration of cell-free DNA and increased detection of mutant KRAS after the procedure (markers of tumoremia and possible new distant metastasis). Although levels of cell-free DNA and activating mutations in KRAS are logical markers of tumoremia, they may not serve as the ideal biomarkers of this process. These findings are preliminary and do not indicate a need to modify current practice, yet further studies are needed. The study was published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Published to PubMed This Week

Kelley Luedke

Kelley Luedke

Kelley Luedke is a Marketing Channel Manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. She is the principle editor and writer of Insights and leads social media and direct marketing strategy. Kelley has worked at Mayo Clinic since 2013. Outside of work, you can find Kelley running, traveling, playing with her kitty, and exploring new foods.

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