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Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in circulating tumor cells.

Catherine Alix-Panabières1,2, Sonja Mader3, Klaus Pantel4

  • 1Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), Department of Cellular and Tissular Biopathology of Tumors, University Medical Centre, 641, avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34093, Montpellier Cedex 5, France. c-panabieres@chu-montpellier.fr.

Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)
|December 26, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) supports tumor cell migration and metastasis. Mesenchymal circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may indicate advanced cancer, but research findings vary, necessitating further investigation into their clinical relevance.

Keywords:
Cancer progressionCirculating tumor cellsEpithelial-to-mesenchymal transitionTumor cell plasticityTumor dissemination

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is crucial for tumor cell migration and metastasis.
  • The precise role of EMT in cancer patients is debated.
  • Advances in circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection offer new insights into tumor cell dissemination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biology of CTCs concerning epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity.
  • To describe current technologies for detecting CTCs with high epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity.
  • To discuss clinical studies on the relevance of mesenchymal CTCs in carcinoma patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of EMT biology and CTC detection technologies.
  • Analysis of clinical studies investigating mesenchymal CTCs.
  • Synthesis of data on assay specificity, patient cohorts, and endpoints.

Main Results:

  • Mesenchymal CTCs are linked to higher disease stages and metastases in some studies, particularly in breast cancer.
  • Clinical studies show heterogeneity in findings regarding mesenchymal CTCs' impact.
  • Current technologies allow for the detection and characterization of CTCs with epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • Mesenchymal CTCs hold potential as biomarkers for cancer progression and patient outcome.
  • Standardization of detection methods and endpoints is needed for consistent clinical application.
  • Further research is essential to clarify the prognostic and predictive value of mesenchymal CTCs.