Circulating tumour cells and hypercoagulability: a lethal relationship in metastatic breast cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are a marker of poor prognosis and are associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We aimed to determine if the presence of CTCs and plasma markers of hypercoagulability [thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT), fibrinogen and D-dimer] are biomarkers of survival in MBC.

Methods/patients

In a prospective study of MBC patients, CTC (CellSearch^®) enumeration and plasma TAT, fibrinogen and D-dimer measured prior to commencement of treatment for disease progression were correlated to overall survival.

Results

At study completion, of 50 MBC patients recruited (median age 59 years, range 36-82), 40 patients had died (median survival 417 days, range 58-2141). CTCs (≥ 1/7.5 ml) were iden

SUBMITTER: Kirwan CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7188731 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature