Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026
07:45
Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer
Published on: May 18, 2020
7.0K
Circulating tumor cells in breast cancer
Francois-Clement Bidard1, Charlotte Proudhon2, Jean-Yves Pierga3
1Institut Curie, PSL Research University, SiRIC, Laboratory of Circulating Tumor Biomarkers, Paris, France; Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Department of Medical Oncology, Paris, France.
Molecular Oncology
|January 27, 2016
Summary
Circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection is a reliable prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. Liquid biopsy using CTCs offers insights into cancer biology and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomarkers
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Technically reliable circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection methods have enabled large dataset collection in cancer patients.
- CTCs serve as dynamic prognostic biomarkers and provide tumor material for liquid biopsy.
- Breast cancer has been the most extensively studied for CTCs, with strong evidence for clinical validity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss clinical results of CTC counts in breast cancer patients.
- To address challenges in the molecular characterization of CTCs.
- To summarize biological insights into cancer and metastasis derived from CTC studies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and clinical studies on CTCs in breast cancer.
- Analysis of data from large patient cohorts.
- Discussion of molecular characterization techniques and their limitations.
Main Results:
- Level-of-evidence-1 studies support the clinical validity of CTC counts in early and metastatic breast cancer.
- CTCs are valuable for dynamic prognostic assessment.
- Molecular characterization of CTCs presents technical challenges but yields biological insights.
Conclusions:
- CTC detection is a clinically validated tool in breast cancer management.
- Liquid biopsy via CTCs enhances understanding of cancer biology and metastasis.
- Further research into CTC molecular characterization will advance personalized oncology.
Related Concept Videos
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
6.0K
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
6.0K
01:21Coronary Circulation
7.2K
The heart, an organ critical to survival, gets nourishment not from the blood it pumps but from a separate circulation system known as coronary circulation. This is the shortest circulation in the body and is responsible for supplying the heart with the nutrients it needs to function effectively.
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
7.2K
01:14Fetal Circulation
2.9K
Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
2.9K
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
9.8K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.8K
01:19Overview of Pulmonary Circulation
3.1K
The pulmonary circulation is a vital system in our body that acts as a bridge between the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It serves as a transport network for deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and then returns oxygen-rich blood back to the heart.
The process begins with the right ventricle of the heart pumping deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk. This large vessel extends about 5 centimeters before splitting into the left and right pulmonary arteries. These arteries...
The process begins with the right ventricle of the heart pumping deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk. This large vessel extends about 5 centimeters before splitting into the left and right pulmonary arteries. These arteries...
3.1K
01:15Overview of Systemic and Pulmonary Circulation
10.9K
The systemic and pulmonary circuits are crucial components of the circulatory system, working together to transport blood between the heart, lungs, and the rest of the body. The process begins with pulmonary circulation, where deoxygenated blood is pumped from the right ventricle to the lungs via the pulmonary trunk and arteries. Upon reaching the lungs, the blood becomes oxygenated and returns to the heart, specifically to the left atrium, via the pulmonary veins.
The oxygenated blood is sent...
The oxygenated blood is sent...
10.9K