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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Semi-automatic PD-L1 Characterization and Enumeration of Circulating Tumor Cells from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients by Immunofluorescence
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Molecular analysis of circulating tumors cells: Biomarkers beyond enumeration

William L Hwang1, Haley M Pleskow2, David T Miyamoto1

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|January 13, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Molecular analyses of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers. These liquid biopsies can guide cancer therapy selection and early detection, improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Molecularly-targeted cancer therapies require precise patient selection biomarkers.
  • Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are emerging as non-invasive "liquid biopsies."
  • CTCs may better represent tumor heterogeneity than traditional tissue biopsies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential of molecular CTC analyses as prognostic and predictive biomarkers.
  • To discuss the role of CTCs in guiding cancer therapy selection.
  • To explore the application of CTCs in early cancer detection.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on CTC capture and molecular analysis technologies.
  • Analysis of evidence supporting CTCs as biomarkers for therapy guidance.
  • Discussion of advancements in CTC detection and characterization.

Main Results:

  • Molecular CTC analyses provide actionable data for personalized cancer treatment.
  • CTCs show potential in predicting clinical outcomes and improving treatment efficacy.
  • Sophisticated CTC technologies are expanding their clinical applications.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular CTC analysis holds significant promise for personalized oncology.
  • CTCs can serve as powerful biomarkers for prognosis, prediction, and early detection.
  • Advancements in CTC technology will likely drive exponential growth in clinical applications.
Keywords:
CancerCirculating tumor cellsEarly cancer detectionLiquid biopsyPrecision therapyPredictive biomarkerPrognostic biomarkerTumor heterogeneity

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