Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 28, 2026
Semi-automatic PD-L1 Characterization and Enumeration of Circulating Tumor Cells from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients by Immunofluorescence
Published on: August 14, 2019
Circulating Tumour Cell GALNT13 Expression Is Associated with Prognosis and Treatment Response in Non-Small Cell Lung
Eugenia Fernández Armúa1,2, María José Serrano3,4,5, Diego Santana1
1Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Servicio de Oncología, Hospital Maciel, Administración de Servicios de Salud del Estado (ASSE), 25 de Mayo 174, Montevideo 11000, Uruguay.
Abstract:
Reliable circulating biomarkers for prognosis and treatment monitoring in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain limited. Liquid biopsy offers a minimally invasive approach to identify clinically informative tumour-derived markers. Given the emerging role of GalNAc-transferases in cancer biology, we evaluated GALNT13 expression in peripheral blood as a potential biomarker for prognosis and disease monitoring in lung cancer patients. Sensitive molecular assays (nested and digital RT-PCR) were developed to detect GALNT13 mRNA in circulating tumour cells (CTCs). These methods were applied to peripheral blood samples from non-small cell lung cancer patients to assess prognostic value and enable longitudinal monitoring. A cohort of 143 NSCLC patients was analysed, of whom 60% were GALNT13-positive in peripheral blood at baseline. During a five-year follow-up, GALNT13 positivity was significantly associated with reduced overall survival. In several patients, increases in GALNT13 levels preceded radiologic evidence of disease progression. GALNT13 expression in CTCs emerges as a promising biomarker for prognosis and treatment monitoring in NSCLC. Prospective studies in larger cohorts are warranted to validate its clinical utility.
