Dynamic monitoring of circulating tumour cells to evaluate therapeutic efficacy in advanced gastric cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study was intended to determine the clinical significance of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC), particularly the potential role of CTCs for dynamic monitoring of the therapeutic response.

Methods

A single-centre, prospective study was undertaken in 136 patients with newly diagnosed AGC. The patients' CTCs were enumerated using CellSearch at baseline and at the first response evaluation. In 15 patients whose clinical condition permitted longitudinal study, CTCs were longitudinally enumerated during treatment.

Results

Following 6 weeks of chemotherapy, an unfavourable post-therapy CTC level (⩾3 CTCs per 7.5 ml) was closely correlated with the objective response rate (P=0.016) and the disease control rate (P=0.

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4815805 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature