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Category: Immunology
Circulating Tumor Cells as an Analytical Tool in the Management of Patients with Cancer, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555818722/9781555818715_CH111-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555818722/9781555818715_CH111-2.gifAbstract:
Circulating tumor cells (CTC), first described in 1869 as cells in the blood identical to those of the cancer itself (1), originate from the primary tumor or metastatic deposits after intravasation through the tumor vasculature by mechanisms that are not completely understood (Fig. 1) (2). Although most CTC die in the circulation, a proportion of them have the ability to spread, seed, and proliferate in distant sites to form secondary metastases (3) (estimated to be 0.05%) or to reestablish in the organ of origin to form new tumors (4), as demonstrated in short-term proliferation experiments (3, 5). First described by Paget in 1889, in his “seed and soil” hypothesis (6), the process of metastatic dissemination is driven by chemokines and integrins specific to the tumor type and by the adhesive interactions of the CTC with the vasculature and extracellular matrix components (4, 7–9). As an example, β4 integrin signaling promotes tumor cell adhesion to the endothelium through ErbB2-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor secretion and has been involved in metastatic development (10). Additionally, CTC have the ability to secrete stem cell-like factors to promote proliferation and self-renewal (11, 12). Microembolic clusters of CTC, isolated by a variety of techniques, are associated with a particularly poor prognosis, which may be related to the enhanced activation of survival pathways by cellular contact and to mechanical capture in the microvasculature, further enabling metastasis formation (13, 14).
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CTC in the process of metastatic progression. Tumor cells transition from the primary or metastatic site into the circulation to establish secondary sites. (Reprinted from reference 2 with permission of the publisher.)
CTC in the process of metastatic progression. Tumor cells transition from the primary or metastatic site into the circulation to establish secondary sites. (Reprinted from reference 2 with permission of the publisher.)
CTC in patients with cancer. Sampling of CTC by phlebotomy at the time that treatment is being considered has the potential to provide tumor material for molecular profiling of biomarkers informative of tumor sensitivity to the targeted therapy being considered. FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization. (Reprinted from reference 37 with permission of the publisher.)
CTC in patients with cancer. Sampling of CTC by phlebotomy at the time that treatment is being considered has the potential to provide tumor material for molecular profiling of biomarkers informative of tumor sensitivity to the targeted therapy being considered. FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization. (Reprinted from reference 37 with permission of the publisher.)
Immunofluorescence and cytometry assay by use of high-throughput multiparametric imaging systems for detection of tumor-specific markers in the peripheral blood mononucleated cell fraction for patients with metastatic cancer. Immunostaining for cytokeratin (red) and the nucleus (DAPI; blue) separates morphologically distinct tumor cells from surrounding white blood cells stained by CD45 (green). (Reprinted from reference 80 with permission of the publisher.)
Immunofluorescence and cytometry assay by use of high-throughput multiparametric imaging systems for detection of tumor-specific markers in the peripheral blood mononucleated cell fraction for patients with metastatic cancer. Immunostaining for cytokeratin (red) and the nucleus (DAPI; blue) separates morphologically distinct tumor cells from surrounding white blood cells stained by CD45 (green). (Reprinted from reference 80 with permission of the publisher.)
Context of use for baseline CTC count as a prognostic biomarker for overall survival for patients with metastatic disease from the Immunicon 38 trials a
Context of use for baseline CTC count as a prognostic biomarker for overall survival for patients with metastatic disease from the Immunicon 38 trials a