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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Capture and Release of Viable Circulating Tumor Cells from Blood
Published on: October 28, 2016
Analyzing Circulating Tumor Cells One at a Time
1Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
Abstract:
Whole-genome sequencing has made a significant impact on cancer research, but traditional bulk methods fail to detect information from rare cells. Recently developed single-cell sequencing methods have provided new insights and unprecedented details about cancer progression and diversity. These advancements also enable the investigation of rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) derived from cancer patients. In this review, we outline various single-cell sequencing techniques that can elucidate the molecular properties of CTCs. In addition, we explain the drawbacks that need to be overcome for each method.
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