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Current Methods of the Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) Analysis: A Brief Overview
Natalia Dementeva1, Daria Kokova1, Oleg A Mayboroda2
1Laboratory of Clinical Metabolomics, Tomsk State University, Tomsk. Russian Federation.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|June 20, 2017
Summary
This review covers methods for selecting and analyzing circulating tumor cells (CTCs). It highlights the progression of CTC analysis techniques, including Cellsearch, CTC-iChip, and unconventional mass spectrometry and NMR methods.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial biomarkers in cancer management.
- Accurate detection and analysis of CTCs are vital for personalized medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a concise overview of current methods for CTC selection and analysis.
- To trace the evolution of CTC analysis technologies.
- To explore both conventional and unconventional CTC analysis techniques.
Main Methods:
- Review of established CTC analysis platforms (e.g., Cellsearch, CTC-iChip).
- Discussion of emerging techniques, including mass spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
Main Results:
- The field has seen significant advancements in CTC detection and characterization.
- Conventional methods offer established workflows, while novel approaches promise enhanced sensitivity and specificity.
Conclusions:
- The selection and analysis of CTCs have evolved considerably, offering diverse tools for cancer research.
- Future directions include integrating advanced analytical techniques for more comprehensive CTC profiling.

