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Circulating tumor microemboli: Progress in molecular understanding and enrichment technologies
Muhammad Umer1, Ramanathan Vaidyanathan2, Nam-Trung Nguyen1
1Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre (QMNC), Griffith University, Nathan Campus, QLD 4111, Australia.
Biotechnology Advances
|May 14, 2018
Summary
Circulating tumor microemboli (CTM), clusters of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), show distinct characteristics and higher metastatic potential than single CTCs. New isolation methods are needed to study these crucial elements of cancer spread.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Metastasis Research
Background:
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and their clusters (CTMs) offer insights into tumor heterogeneity and metastasis.
- CTMs may possess unique phenotypes and higher metastatic potential compared to single CTCs.
- Current isolation technologies often favor single CTCs over CTMs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on CTM biology.
- To critically analyze existing and emerging CTM enrichment and characterization methods.
- To identify research and development avenues for CTM isolation and study.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of CTM biology.
- Critical commentary on CTM enrichment and characterization techniques.
- Discussion of ex-vivo CTC expansion methodologies.
Main Results:
- CTMs exhibit distinct biological properties and metastatic potential compared to single CTCs.
- Existing technologies are suboptimal for efficient CTM isolation.
- There is a need for novel or reconfigured approaches for CTM enrichment.
Conclusions:
- CTMs represent a significant factor in cancer metastasis and may serve as theranostic biomarkers.
- Developing efficient CTM isolation and characterization methods is crucial for advancing cancer research.
- Further research into CTM biology and isolation techniques is warranted.
Keywords:
CTC clustersCirculating tumor cells (CTCs)Circulating tumor microemboli (CTM)Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)MetastasisMore Related Videos
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