Method for screening a subject for cancer

A method for screening a subject for a cancer comprising the steps of:

• i) extracting the cell free nucleic acids from a sample obtained from the subject;
• ii) denaturating the cell free nucleic acids to obtain single stranded DNA fragments;
• iii) determining the level of a group of single stranded DNA fragments having a length ranging from 20 to 400 nucleotides;
• and
• a)
• iv) comparing the level determined at step iii) with a predetermined reference value and;
• v) concluding that the subject suffers from a cancer when the level determined at step iii) differs from the predetermined reference value;
• and/or
• b)
• vi) determining the level of one single stranded DNA fragment having a length of from 20 to 400 nucleotides;
• vii) calculating a ratio of the level determined at step iii) to the level determined at step vi) and/or a ratio of the level determined at step iv) to the level determined at step iii);
• viii) comparing the at least one ratio determined at step vii) with a predetermined corresponding reference value, and;
• ix) concluding that the subject suffers from a cancer when the at least one ratio determined at step vii) differs from the predetermined corresponding reference value.

A method of treating cancer in subject in need thereof, comprising

• i) extracting cell free nucleic acids (cfDNA) from a sample obtained from the subject;
• ii) denaturating the cell free nucleic acids (cf DNA) to obtain single stranded DNA fragments;
• iii) determining a level of at least one single stranded DNA fragment having a length between 20 to 400 nucleotides;
• iv) comparing the level determined at step iii) with a predetermined reference value;
• and
• v) administering one or more cancer treatments to the subject when the level determined at step iii) differs from the predetermined reference value, wherein the one or more cancer treatments include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy;
• or
• b)
• vi) determining a level of at least one first single stranded DNA fragment having a length between 20 to 400 nucleotides;
• vii) determining a level of at least one second single stranded DNA fragment having a length between 20 to 400 nucleotides;
• viii) calculating a ratio of the level determined at step vi) to the level determined at step vii) or a ratio of the level determined at step vii) to the level determined at step vi);
• ix) comparing the ratio determined at step viii) with a predetermined corresponding reference value;
• and
• x) administering one or more cancer treatments to the subject when the ratio determined at step iii) differs from the predetermined reference value, wherein the one or more cancer treatments include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.