Clinical Implications of Alu-Based Cell-Free Dna and Serum Onco-Pirna Monitoring in Colorectal Cancer Management Publisher



Taghizadehteymorloei M¹ ; Jafarlou V² ; Matin S^{3, 4} ; Raeisi M⁸ ; Roosta Y⁵ ; Mansouriderakhshani S⁶ ; Feizi AAH⁷ ; Karimi A¹
Source: Clinical and Translational Oncology Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. This study explores the potential of Alu-based cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and specific PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) as innovative biomarkers for monitoring treatment responses in CRC patients. Methods: We analyzed plasma samples from 70 CRC patients, equally divided between those undergoing chemotherapy and surgical interventions. Results: Our findings reveal that certain piRNAs, particularly piRNA-823, piRNA-54265, and piRNA-1245, exhibit significant prognostic value, with notable expression changes observed in the chemotherapy group compared to the surgery group. Furthermore, the levels of ALU-based cfDNA fragments showed a marked decrease post-chemotherapy, suggesting their utility in assessing therapeutic efficacy. Conclusions: This research underscores the importance of integrating these molecular tools particularly piRNA-823 and ALU-based cfDNA into clinical practice, potentially enhancing the management strategies for CRC patients and improving their outcomes. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Federacion de Sociedades Espanolas de Oncologia (FESEO) 2025.