Circulating Tumor Cells in Head and Neck Squamous-Cell Carcinoma Exhibit Distinct Properties Based on Targeted Epithelial-Related Markers.

ABSTRACT: The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using immunoaffinity-based methods often relies on epithelial-related markers, which may bias the selection of CTCs and limit the biological information obtained, depending on the targeted antigens. Herein, we compared the molecular profiles and clinical significance of CTCs based on the expression of epithelial-related markers (EPCAM, EGFR, and MET) in patients with head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC). CTCs were detected using density gradient separation and CD45-negative selection, followed by quantitative PCR for epithelial-related marker expression. Expression profiles of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related (VIM, CDH1, CDH2, SNAI1, ZEB1, ZEB2, and TWIS

SUBMITTER: Chikamatsu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12025473 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature