Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Adaptation of Semiautomated Circulating Tumor Cell CTC Assays for Clinical and Preclinical Research Applications
Published on: February 28, 2014
Evaluating metastatic risk in breast cancer through CTCs and L1CAM expression
Ni Liao1, Qiong Guo1, Jingjing Chen1
1Department of Breast Surgery, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China.
Introduction:
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) are associated with breast cancer (BC) metastasis. This study investigated their potential as predictive biomarkers for lymph node metastasis in early-stage invasive breast cancer (ESIBC).
Methods:
Ninety-three ESIBC patients were enrolled. CTC phenotypes and L1CAM expression were detected in preoperative blood samples using the CanPatrol® CTC system and RNA-ISH. Associations with clinicopathological variables were analyzed.
Results:
CTCs were detected in 79.6% of patients. Hybrid CTCs (H-CTCs) and L1CAM-positive CTCs were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and Ki-67 expression. A nomogram integrating H-CTCs, L1CAM, and Ki-67 predicted metastatic risk with excellent accuracy (AUC = 0.98).
Discussion:
H-CTCs and L1CAM-positive CTCs serve as potential blood-based biomarkers for evaluating metastatic risk in BC.
Conclusion:
The combined detection of H-CTCs and L1CAM enhances preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis and provides new insights into BC metastasis mechanisms.
