A novel method for downstream characterization of breast cancer circulating tumor cells following CellSearch isolation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) obtained from minimally invasive blood samples has been well established as a valuable monitoring tool in metastatic and early breast cancer, as well as in several other cancer types. The gold standard technology for detecting CTCs in blood against a backdrop of millions of leukocytes is the FDA-approved CellSearch system (Janssen Diagnostics), which relies on EpCAM-based immunomagnetic separation. Secondary characterization of these cells could enable treatment selection based on specific targets in these cells, as well as providing a real time window into the metastatic process and offering unique insights into tumor heterogeneity. The objective of this study was to develop a method for downstream characterization of CTCs f

SUBMITTER: Frithiof H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4409738 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature