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Micromanipulation of Circulating Tumor Cells for Downstream Molecular Analysis and Metastatic Potential Assessment
Published on: May 14, 2019
Circulating tumor cells: biology and clinical significance
Danfeng Lin1,2,3, Lesang Shen1, Meng Luo1,2
1Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are tumor cells that have sloughed off the primary tumor and extravasate into and circulate in the blood. Understanding of the metastatic cascade of CTCs has tremendous potential for the identification of targets against cancer metastasis. Detecting these very rare CTCs among the massive blood cells is challenging. However, emerging technologies for CTCs detection have profoundly contributed to deepening investigation into the biology of CTCs and have facilitated their clinical application. Current technologies for the detection of CTCs are summarized herein, together with their advantages and disadvantages. The detection of CTCs is usually dependent on molecular markers, with the epithelial cell adhesion molecule being the most widely used, although molecular markers vary between different types of cancer. Properties associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stemness have been identified in CTCs, indicating their increased metastatic capacity. Only a small proportion of CTCs can survive and eventually initiate metastases, suggesting that an interaction and modulation between CTCs and the hostile blood microenvironment is essential for CTC metastasis. Single-cell sequencing of CTCs has been extensively investigated, and has enabled researchers to reveal the genome and transcriptome of CTCs. Herein, we also review the clinical applications of CTCs, especially for monitoring response to cancer treatment and in evaluating prognosis. Hence, CTCs have and will continue to contribute to providing significant insights into metastatic processes and will open new avenues for useful clinical applications.
Insights
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are key to understanding cancer metastasis. New technologies improve CTC detection, aiding research and clinical applications for cancer treatment monitoring and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) shed from primary tumors and enter the bloodstream, playing a crucial role in cancer metastasis.
- Detecting rare CTCs is challenging but vital for understanding and targeting metastatic processes.
- Emerging technologies are enhancing CTC detection and investigation into their biology and clinical utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current technologies for detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
- To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various CTC detection methods.
- To review the biological properties and clinical applications of CTCs in cancer metastasis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on CTC detection technologies.
- Analysis of molecular markers (e.g., epithelial cell adhesion molecule) used for CTC identification.
- Investigation into CTC properties like epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stemness.
- Exploration of single-cell sequencing techniques for CTC genome and transcriptome analysis.
Main Results:
- CTC detection relies heavily on molecular markers, with variations across cancer types.
- CTCs exhibit properties associated with increased metastatic potential, such as stemness.
- Single-cell sequencing provides deep insights into CTC genomic and transcriptomic profiles.
- CTCs are crucial for understanding the interaction with the blood microenvironment during metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Advanced CTC detection technologies are crucial for cancer metastasis research.
- CTCs offer significant potential for monitoring cancer treatment response and evaluating prognosis.
- Further investigation into CTC biology and detection methods will open new clinical applications.
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