Viable circulating tumour cell detection using multiplex RNA in situ hybridisation predicts progression-free survival in metastatic breast cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Current approaches for detecting circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in blood are dependent on CTC enrichment and are based either on surface epithelial markers on CTCs or on cell size differences. The objectives of this study were to develop and characterise an ultrasensitive multiplex fluorescent RNA in situ hybridisation (ISH)-based CTC detection system called CTCscope. This method detects a multitude of tumour-specific markers at single-cell level in blood.

Methods

Healthy blood samples spiked with tumour cell lines were used as a model system for the development and initial characterisation of CTCscope. To demonstrate the feasibility of CTC detection in patient blood, duplicate blood samples were drawn from 45 metastatic breast cancer patients for analysis by CTC

SUBMITTER: Payne RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3364118 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature