Abstract:
The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in solid tumors might
be associated with stem cell-like tumor cells which have been suggested to be the
active source of metastatic spread in primary tumors. Furthermore, to be able to
disseminate and metastasize, CTC must be able to perform epithelial-mesenchymal
transition. The prognostic significance of CTC counts is now well documented in
multiple indications by the CellSearch assay, where CTC counts above a threshold
define an unfavorable prognostic group. The ability to capture and study CTCs is
an emerging field with implications for early detection, diagnosis, determining
prognosis and monitoring of cancer, as well as for understanding the fundamental
biology of the process of metastasis. The development of tumor-specific markers to
select targeted therapies and to assess clinical outcome remains a significant area of
modern science. In this review an association of baseline CTC number with clinical
characteristics and survival in solid tumor patients has been evaluated.
Description:
The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in solid tumors might
be associated with stem cell-like tumor cells which have been suggested to be the
active source of metastatic spread in primary tumors. Furthermore, to be able to
disseminate and metastasize, CTC must be able to perform epithelial-mesenchymal
transition. The prognostic significance of CTC counts is now well documented in
multiple indications by the CellSearch assay, where CTC counts above a threshold
define an unfavorable prognostic group. The ability to capture and study CTCs is
an emerging field with implications for early detection, diagnosis, determining
prognosis and monitoring of cancer, as well as for understanding the fundamental
biology of the process of metastasis. The development of tumor-specific markers to
select targeted therapies and to assess clinical outcome remains a significant area of
modern science. In this review an association of baseline CTC number with clinical
characteristics and survival in solid tumor patients has been evaluated.
