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Comprehensive Longitudinal Linear Mixed Modeling of CTCs Illuminates the Role of Trop2, EpCAM, and CD45 in CTC Clustering and Metastasis

  • 0Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Cancers +

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August 28, 2025

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August 28, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) heterogeneity impacts breast cancer progression. EpCAM, Trop2, and CD45+ cells predict CTC cluster size, with distinct biomarker changes observed in HR+ and HER2+ metastatic breast cancers over time.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Metastasis Research

Background

  • Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer worldwide, characterized by high rates of distant metastasis.
  • Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are key drivers of metastasis and are associated with poor prognosis.
  • CTC heterogeneity complicates understanding their role in disease progression.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To systematically analyze circulating tumor cells (CTCs) longitudinally in metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients.
  • To evaluate the contribution of EpCAM, Trop2, and pan-Cytokeratin (CK) markers to CTC presence and clustering.
  • To understand the relationship between CTC biomarkers and breast cancer progression during treatment.

Main Methods

  • Longitudinal analysis of 272 blood samples from 51 metastatic breast cancer patients.
  • Isolation, imaging, and analysis of nucleated cells using Rarecyte® technology.
  • Statistical analysis using R (lmerTest, lme4) and Graphpad Prism.

Main Results

  • Both classical CTCs and Trop2+ CTCs were detected; EpCAM, Trop2, and CD45+ cells correlated with CTC cluster size.
  • Pan-Cytokeratin (CK) did not predict cluster size.
  • Longitudinal analysis revealed distinct biomarker trajectories for EpCAM, Trop2, and clustering in HR+ versus HER2+ breast cancers post-metastasis diagnosis.

Conclusions

  • EpCAM+, Trop2+, and CD45+ cells predict CTC cluster presence and size.
  • Distinct longitudinal biomarker changes were observed between HR+ and HER2+ metastatic breast cancers.
  • These findings enhance understanding of CTC dynamics in breast cancer progression.

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