Circulating tumor cells from melanoma patients show phenotypic plasticity and metastatic potential in xenograft NOD.CB17 mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Innovative therapies have improved the overall survival in melanoma, although a high number of patients still experience disease progression or recurrence. Ex-vivo culture of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) represents a valuable laboratory resource for in-depth characterization of rare cell populations responsible for disease progression.

Methods

CTCs from patients with metastatic melanoma were in-vitro established. Their stemness was demonstrated by both phenotypic and genotypic assays, as well as by functional studies. Xenograft experiments in NOD.CB17 mice injected with CTCs from a single patient were completed. Data were analysed by Student's test and results expressed as mean ± SEM.

Results

CTCs share the mutational profile with primary cells, an inter

SUBMITTER: Felici C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9275157 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature