Real-time qPCR assay for detection of ALT associated telomeric C-circle DNA in bl

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall goal of the proposed project is to investigate the feasibility of employing real-time qPCR method for detection of telomeric C-circle DNA in peripheral blood of patients with cancers that utilize Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) as their Telomere length Maintenance Mechanism (TMM). Telomeric C-Circle DNA has been demonstrated to be specific for ALT, thus enabling the first quantitative test for ALT activity. In 85% of cancers, cells maintain telomere length due to increased activity of telomerase, while 5 - 15% of tumors from most cancer types rely on the ALT mechanism for continued growth and survival. It is therefore imperative to determine the prevalence of ALT[+] tumors. Initial retrospective analyses showed that ALT ranges from 25% to 60% in sarcomas and 5% to 15% in carcinomas. ALT can be also a potential 'escape route' for tumor cells to survive under pressure from treatment with anti-telomerase drugs. Recently published results of in vit