Spatial heterogeneity in epithelial to mesenchymal transition properties of circulating tumor cells associated with distant recurrence in pancreatic cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The spatial heterogeneity of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related circulating tumor cells (CTCs) within the circulatory system and its potential clinical relevance remain unclear in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients. We aimed to map the distribution of EMT-related CTCs along the spreading pathway and investigate the prognostic significance due to the potential spatial heterogeneity in the count and phenotypic properties of CTCs.

Methods

Both portal vein (PoV) and peripheral vein (PV) blood samples were collected from 39 PC patients. CTCs were isolated by using a CD45 negative enrichment method, and EMT-related phenotypes in CTCs were analyzed by 4-channel immunofluorescence. The correlations of CTCs with patient characteristics and recurrence-free surv

SUBMITTER: Dong X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7327339 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature