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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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Micromanipulation of Circulating Tumor Cells for Downstream Molecular Analysis and Metastatic Potential Assessment
Published on: May 14, 2019
Exploring platelet-covered and naked circulating tumor cells - a single-cell transcriptomic perspective.
Michał Sieczczyński1,2, Krzysztof Pastuszak1,3,4, Marcin Banacki1,5
1Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Journal of Translational Medicine
|July 14, 2026
Summary
Platelet-covered circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were identified and analyzed. Platelet cloaking significantly impacts CTC survival and metastatic progression, offering new insights into liquid biopsy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and platelets can be collected during liquid biopsy.
- The interaction between CTCs and platelets, forming platelet-covered CTCs (pcCTCs), is not fully understood.
- Understanding pcCTCs is crucial for advancing liquid biopsy techniques and cancer diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and characterize pcCTCs using single-cell data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
- To compare the transcriptomic profiles of pcCTCs with naked CTCs and platelets.
- To investigate the influence of platelet cloaking on CTC behavior and metastatic potential.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 22 patient samples (10 breast cancer, 12 ovarian cancer) and 7 control samples.
- Identification of candidate CTCs and pcCTCs using single-cell data.
- Transcriptomic analysis of identified CTCs and platelets, focusing on EMT, angiogenesis, and platelet-related pathways.
Main Results:
- 12 candidate CTCs were identified, including 5 naked CTCs and 7 pcCTCs.
- Pathways related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and platelet activation were upregulated in pcCTCs.
- Platelet-associated signals were highest in pcCTCs, with distinct scores for epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes and cancer-specific gene sets.
Conclusions:
- Platelet cloaking significantly alters gene expression in CTCs.
- This alteration influences CTC survival in the bloodstream and contributes to metastatic progression.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering platelet-CTC interactions in liquid biopsy and cancer research.
