Caught in the Act: Tumor-Immune Interactions in Circulation of Patients with Immune Marker Positive Circulating Tumor Cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and large extracellular vesicles (LEVs) are key components of the liquid biopsy that provide minimally invasive access to tumor biology. A clinically relevant subset of CTCs coexpressing epithelial and immune markers (im.CTCs) has been described, yet the origin of this phenotype remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the cellular and molecular context underlying the emergence of immune marker expression on CTCs and LEVs.

Methods

Using high-resolution immunofluorescence microscopy of patient-derived blood samples, we identified direct physical interactions between white blood cells (WBCs) and both im.CTCs and im.LEVs, exclusively in patients harboring im.CTCs.

Results

In several cases, WBCs partially encapsu

SUBMITTER: Naghdloo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12651602 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature