CD44⁺ cytokeratin-positive tumor cells in blood and bone marrow are associated with poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The phenotypic heterogeneity of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in peripheral blood and disseminated tumor cells (DTC) in bone marrow is an important constraint for clinical decision making. Here, we investigated the implications of two different subpopulations of these cells in gastric cancer (GC).

Methods

GC patients (n = 228) who underwent elective gastric resections were prospectively examined for CTC/DTC. The cells obtained from peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirates were sorted by flow cytometry and CD45^- cells expressing cytokeratins (8, 18, and 19) and CD44 were identified by immunofluorescent double staining.

Results

Ninety-three (41%) patients had cytokeratin-positive tumor cells in either blood or bone marrow, while cells expressing

SUBMITTER: Szczepanik A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6394724 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature