Linking EMT Status of Circulating Tumor Cells to Clinical Outcomes in Lung Cancer
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Circulating tumor cells' (CTCs) epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) status, particularly hybrid E/M-CTCs, predicts lung cancer (LC) progression. Monitoring mesenchymal CTCs (M-CTCs) reflects disease status, aiding treatment assessment.
Area Of Science
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background
- Lung cancer (LC) is a major global cause of cancer mortality.
- Prognosis is influenced by complex biological factors.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the clinical relevance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and their Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) status in lung cancer patients.
- To correlate CTC EMT status with clinical characteristics and treatment response.
Main Methods
- 30 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients were enrolled.
- CanPatrol technique used for CTC separation and categorization.
- Immunofluorescent staining for epithelial, mesenchymal, and leukocyte markers.
- RECIST 1.1 criteria assessed treatment response.
Main Results
- Three CTC groups identified: epithelial (E-CTCs), hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M-CTCs), and mesenchymal (M-CTCs).
- E/M-CTC counts correlated positively with TNM staging, tumor size, and metastasis.
- M-CTC count changes pre- and post-treatment mirrored disease progression and control, aligning with RECIST criteria.
Conclusions
- CTC EMT status, especially E/M-CTCs, predicts lung cancer staging, tumor size, and metastasis.
- Dynamic monitoring of M-CTCs accurately reflects disease progression and treatment response.
Related Concept Videos
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

