Plasma Content of Extracellular Nucleic Acids in Donors and Patients with Mammary Tumors

The concentrations of extracellular DNA and RNA were measured in the plasma of donors and patients with fibroadenoma and breast cancer. The content of extracellular DNA surpassed the normal in 80% plasma samples from patients with mammary tumors. Extracellular RNA was detected in 30% plasma samples from donors and patients with breast tumors. No correlations were found between plasma concentration of extracellular DNA and size and stage of tumor growth. Hence, measurement of extracellular DNA in the plasma of patients can be used only as an accessory test for tumor diagnosis.