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Updated: Dec 23, 2025

Adaptation of Semiautomated Circulating Tumor Cell CTC Assays for Clinical and Preclinical Research Applications
Published on: February 28, 2014
Epigenetics of Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer
Aida Bao-Caamano1, Aitor Rodriguez-Casanova1,2, Angel Diaz-Lagares3,4
1Cancer Epigenomics, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Abstract:
Liquid biopsy based on the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has emerged as an important field of research. Molecular characterization of CTCs can provide insights into cancer biology and biomarkers for the clinic, representing a non-invasive powerful tool for monitoring breast cancer metastasis and predict the therapeutic response. Epigenetic mechanisms play a key role in the control of gene expression and their alteration contributes to cancer development and progression. These epigenetic modifications in CTCs have been described mainly related to modifications of the DNA methylation pattern and changes in the expression profile of noncoding RNAs. Here we summarize the recent findings on the epigenetic characterization of CTCs in breast cancer and their clinical value as tumor biomarkers, and discuss challenges and opportunities in this field.
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