Liquid biopsy in cancer – Molecular, genetic and genomic biomarkers – Circulating nucleosomes
Molecular, genetic and genomic biomarkers
Circulating nucleosomes
Published 29 May 2025 | Updated 4 June 2025
Nucleosomes are fragments of DNA wrapped around a histone protein core which are released into the blood stream, primarily from dying cells. Depending on the analysis carried out tests for circulating nucleosomes can provide different types of information which may be used in cancer diagnosis. In addition to the quantitative analysis of nucleosome levels they may contain tumour specific genetic mutations or histone modifications (acetylation, methylation), that may be altered in cancer.
- Westerback, E. et. al. (2025) Evaluation of plasma nucleosome concentrations and the effect of pre-analytical variables in healthy cats. BMC Veterinary Research, 21, no. 355. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04785-x
- Dolan, C. et al. (2021) Characterizing circulating nucleosomes in the plasma of dogs with lymphoma. BMC Veterinary Research, 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02991-x
- Goggs, R. (2019) Effect of sample type on plasma concentrations of cell‐free DNA and nucleosomes in dogs. Veterinary Record Open, 6 (1). https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreco-2019-000357
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