Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
Generation of Prostate Cancer Patient Derived Xenograft Models from Circulating Tumor Cells
Published on: October 20, 2015
Using circulating tumor cells to inform on prostate cancer biology and clinical utility
Jing Li1, Simon G Gregory, Mariano A Garcia-Blanco
1a Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA .
Abstract:
Substantial advances in the molecular biology of prostate cancer have led to the approval of multiple new systemic agents to treat men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). These treatments encompass androgen receptor directed therapies, immunotherapies, bone targeting radiopharmaceuticals and cytotoxic chemotherapies. There is, however, great heterogeneity in the degree of patient benefit with these agents, thus fueling the need to develop predictive biomarkers that are able to rationally guide therapy. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have the potential to provide an assessment of tumor-specific biomarkers through a non-invasive, repeatable "liquid biopsy" of a patient's cancer at a given point in time. CTCs have been extensively studied in men with mCRPC, where CTC enumeration using the Cellsearch® method has been validated and FDA approved to be used in conjunction with other clinical parameters as a prognostic biomarker in metastatic prostate cancer. In addition to enumeration, more sophisticated molecular profiling of CTCs is now feasible and may provide more clinical utility as it may reflect tumor evolution within an individual particularly under the pressure of systemic therapies. Here, we review technologies used to detect and characterize CTCs, and the potential biological and clinical utility of CTC molecular profiling in men with metastatic prostate cancer.
Insights
Molecular profiling of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offers a non-invasive approach to guide prostate cancer therapy. This liquid biopsy method may reveal tumor evolution and improve treatment selection for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has seen advances in systemic therapies, including androgen receptor-directed agents, immunotherapies, and chemotherapies.
- Significant patient heterogeneity in treatment response necessitates predictive biomarkers to guide therapy selection.
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer a non-invasive liquid biopsy for real-time tumor assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review technologies for detecting and characterizing CTCs.
- To explore the potential biological and clinical utility of CTC molecular profiling in mCRPC.
- To highlight CTCs as a tool for understanding tumor evolution under therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current technologies for CTC detection and characterization.
- Discussion of CTC enumeration (e.g., Cellsearch®) and its prognostic role.
- Exploration of advanced molecular profiling techniques for CTCs.
Main Results:
- CTC enumeration is validated and FDA-approved as a prognostic biomarker in mCRPC.
- Molecular profiling of CTCs is becoming feasible and may offer greater clinical utility.
- CTCs can reflect dynamic tumor changes, especially under systemic treatment pressure.
Conclusions:
- CTC molecular profiling holds promise for personalized treatment strategies in mCRPC.
- Advanced CTC analysis can provide insights into tumor evolution and treatment resistance.
- Further research into CTCs can enhance therapeutic decision-making for prostate cancer patients.
