Abstract:Background: Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a novel type of biomarker with a broad utility in diagnostic medicine, based on the release of DNA fragments from dying cells to the circulation. We developed an approach for identifying the tissue origins of cfDNA, using cell-type-specific DNA methylation patterns, based on a massive reference atlas of the genome-wide methylomes of multiple human tissues and cell types. Cancer inflicts damage to surrounding normal tissues, which can culminate in fatal organ fai… Show more
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