[Update on Recommendations for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 During Pregnancy, Birth and Childbed]

With begin of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic the german obstetric, peri-/neonatological and pediatric professional societies published recommendations for care of pregnant and newborn, as well as for necessary staff protection in March 2020 [1-3]. Because of the rapid emerging increase of knowledge an update is required. This work therefore perceives as prosecution of the existing recommendations [1-3].Worldwide national recommendations were recently compared and published in a consensual review [4]. In methodological dependence this update of recommendations comments on key questions of pre-, peri- and postnatal care at SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, based on publications up to 30.05.2020. Statements represent a carefully concerned expert consensus and can change contemporary as new knowledge appears.The responsibility for concrete management remains at the local medical team, decisions should be supported by these recommendations.

Perioperative anxiety and length of hospital stay after caesarean section - A cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The caesarean section is one of the most frequently performed surgeries. Due to growing economic challenges, hospitals are encouraged to improve their cost-efficiency. One factor that influences hospital costs of caesarean sections is a prolonged hospital stay.

STUDY DESIGN

The aim of the current prospective study was to investigate psychosocial factors, with an emphasis on anxiety, and sociodemographic factors that are associated with longer hospital stay after caesarean sections with no medical complications. Data of 195 women who gave birth by caesarean section was analyzed. As possible predictors anxiety levels measured pre-, peri- and postoperative as well as age, parity (primiparous/multiparous), repeated caesarean (yes/no), BMI (<30/ ≥30), STAI-Trait scores, duration of surgery, PH arterial and Apgar 5 min. were entered into a backward linear regression with duration of hospital stay as the dependent factor.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed that higher age, primiparity as well as higher anxiety scores during the postoperative phase are significant factors associated with prolonged hospital stay. The significant model explains 22.1 % of the variance.

CONCLUSION

The results should sensitize the medical team to these risk factors in order to improve patients' recovery and shorten hospital stays.

Comparing the course of anxiety in women receiving their first or repeated caesarean section: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Around 30% of births are through caesarean section and repetition rates for receiving a caesarean section are high.

AIM

The aim of the prospective study was to compare the course of anxiety in women undergoing their first caesarean section and women experiencing a repeated caesarean section.

PARTICIPANTS

304 women with an indication for an elective caesarean section took part. 155 received their first caesarean section and 149 received a repeated caesarean section.

METHODS

In order to measure the course of anxiety on the day of the caesarean section subjective anxiety levels were measured and saliva samples for cortisol determination were taken at admission, during skin closure and two hours after the surgery. Blood pressure and heart rate were documented at skin incision and skin closure.

RESULTS

Women experiencing their first caesarean section displayed significantly higher anxiety levels compared to women with a repeated caesarean section. Scores of the STAI-State and visual analogue scale for anxiety differed significantly at admission (p=.006 and p<.001) and heart rate and alpha amylase levels were significantly higher at skin closure (p=.027 and p=.029).

CONCLUSION

The results show that previous experience with a caesarean section has a soothing effect. The study aims to sensitize surgeons, anesthetists, nurses and midwives when treating women receiving a caesarean section and encourage them to incorporate soothing interventions, especially for women receiving their first caesarean section to reduce anxiety levels and consequently improve postoperative recovery and patients' satisfaction.

Postpartum Depressive Disorder - Psychosomatic Aspects

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common mental illness in mothers following the birth of a child. Since the symptoms of PPD are similar to the normal stress of healthy women following childbirth, it is often difficult for the attending gynaecologist or midwife to diagnose this illness in a timely manner and thus initiate adequate treatment and comprehensive support for the patient. Even if there are options for a screening using evaluated questionnaires and subsequent psychotherapy and/or drug therapy in the treatment of PPD which has proven effective, it is seen that, in most treatment approaches, little consideration is given to the affect-controlled interaction and the bonding behaviour between mother and child. This article presents diagnostic measures and current therapeutic approaches as well as their integration in practice in order to achieve awareness of this topic in everyday clinical practice and show the pathways of appropriate treatment. Specific multiprofessional treatment approaches which centre on the mother-child relationship demonstrate successes with regard to depression in the mothers and also on the development of a secure mother-child bond and are thus a protective factor in the development of the affected children. The now well-known effects of PPD on the fathers as well as the negative impacts of paternal depression on child development make it clear that the treatment should not focus solely on maternal depression, but also always on the family bond between the mother, child and father in the treatment.

Effects of music intervention during caesarean delivery on anxiety and stress of the mother a controlled, randomised study

Background

Stress and anxiety during pregnancy and childbirth have negative consequences for both mother and child. There are indications that music has a positive effect in this situation. The present study investigates the influence of music during the caesarean on anxiety and stress of the expectant mother.

Methods

The SAMBA study is a single-centre, controlled, randomized study including 304 patients. Women in the intervention group heard music via loudspeakers from one of four self-selected genres. The control group had standard treatment without music. The caesarean was performed in regional Anesthesia. At admission, at skin incision, during skin suture and two hours after completion of surgery, different subjective (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, visual analogue scale for anxiety) and objective parameters (salivary cortisol/amylase, heart rate, blood pressure) were collected. Mixed-factorial Analysis of variances as well as independent sample t-tests were applied for data analysis.

Results

At skin suture, significantly lower anxiety levels were reported in the intervention group regarding State anxiety (31.56 vs. 34.41; p = .004) and visual analogue scale for anxiety (1.27 vs. 1.76; p = .018). Two hours after surgery, the measured visual analogue scale for anxiety score in the intervention group was still significantly lower (0.69 vs. 1.04; p = .018). The objective parameters showed significant differences between the groups in salivary cortisol increase from admission to skin suture (12.29 vs. 16.61 nmol/L; p = .043), as well as systolic blood pressure (130.11 vs. 136.19 mmHg; p = .002) and heart rate (88.40 vs. 92.57/min; p = .049) at skin incision.

Conclusions

Music during caesarean is an easy implementable and effective way of reducing stress and anxiety of the expectant mother.

Trial registration

German registry for clinical trials (DRKS00007840). Registered 16/06/2015. Retrospectively registered.

Use of Granulocyte-colony Stimulating Factor During Chemotherapy and Its Association With CA27.29 and Circulating Tumor Cells-Results From the SUCCESS A Trial

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment during adjuvant chemotherapy on prognostic markers. The present study explored the association between G-CSF and changes in cancer antigen (CA)27.29 and circulating tumor cell (CTC) levels during therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 3754 node-positive or high-risk node-negative early-stage breast cancer patients were treated within the SUCCESS-A trial (simultaneous study of gemcitabine-docetaxel combination adjuvant treatment, as well as extended bisphosphonate and surveillance-trial). CA27.29 and CTCs were determined before the start and within 6 weeks after the end of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Overall, 1324 of the 2646 patients (50.0%) available for analysis had ≥ 1 G-CSF applications during chemotherapy. G-CSF application was significantly associated with CA27.29 status before and after chemotherapy (χ² = 30.6, df = 3; P < .001), because 238 patients (18.0%) with G-CSF treatment but only 146 (11.0%) without G-CSF treatment switched from a negative CA27.29 status before to a positive CA27.29 status after chemotherapy. In addition, patients with G-CSF application showed a significantly greater increase in CA27.29 levels after chemotherapy compared with patients without any G-CSF application during chemotherapy (Mann-Whitney U test; Z = -7.81, P < .001). No significant association was found between G-CSF application and CTC status before or after chemotherapy (χ² = 1.2, df = 3; P = .75).

CONCLUSION

Cautious interpretation is needed regarding elevated levels of MUC-1-derived tumor markers such as CA27.29 shortly after adjuvant chemotherapy when G-CSF has been given, because G-CSF treatment was associated with increased CA27.29 levels after chemotherapy.

The presence of human mesenchymal stem cells of renal origin in amniotic fluid increases with gestational time

Background

Established therapies for managing kidney dysfunction such as kidney dialysis and transplantation are limited due to the shortage of compatible donated organs and high costs. Stem cell-based therapies are currently under investigation as an alternative treatment option. As amniotic fluid is composed of fetal urine harboring mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs), we hypothesized that third-trimester amniotic fluid could be a novel source of renal progenitor and differentiated cells.

Methods

Human third-trimester amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) were isolated and cultured in distinct media. These cells were characterized as renal progenitor cells with respect to cell morphology, cell surface marker expression, transcriptome and differentiation into chondrocytes, osteoblasts and adipocytes. To test for renal function, a comparative albumin endocytosis assay was performed using AF-MSCs and commercially available renal cells derived from kidney biopsies. Comparative transcriptome analyses of first, second and third trimester-derived AF-MSCs were conducted to monitor expression of renal-related genes.

Results

Regardless of the media used, AFCs showed expression of pluripotency-associated markers such as SSEA4, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81 and C-Kit. They also express the mesenchymal marker Vimentin. Immunophenotyping confirmed that third-trimester AFCs are bona fide MSCs. AF-MSCs expressed the master renal progenitor markers SIX2 and CITED1, in addition to typical renal proteins such as PODXL, LHX1, BRN1 and PAX8. Albumin endocytosis assays demonstrated the functionality of AF-MSCs as renal cells. Additionally, upregulated expression of BMP7 and downregulation of WT1, CD133, SIX2 and C-Kit were observed upon activation of WNT signaling by treatment with the GSK-3 inhibitor CHIR99201. Transcriptome analysis and semiquantitative PCR revealed increasing expression levels of renal-specific genes (e.g., SALL1, HNF4B, SIX2) with gestational time. Moreover, AF-MSCs shared more genes with human kidney cells than with native MSCs and gene ontology terms revealed involvement of biological processes associated with kidney morphogenesis.

Conclusions

Third-trimester amniotic fluid contains AF-MSCs of renal origin and this novel source of kidney progenitors may have enormous future potentials for disease modeling, renal repair and drug screening.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-0864-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Measuring the course of anxiety in women giving birth by caesarean section: a prospective study

Background

Women undergoing elective caesarean section experience anxiety. However, course, extent and duration of anxiety have not been investigated yet. This study aimed to explore anxiety levels during the course of the day of surgery by employing and comparing subjective as well as objective measures. By examining their correlation it is intended to give methodological support for interventional studies.

Methods

This is a monocentric, prospectively planned study in which 47 women with an indication for primary caesarean section took part. Anxiety levels were evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-trait and STAI-state), the visual analogue scale for anxiety (VASA) as well as saliva cortisol at three time points on the day of the caesarean section (at admission, at skin closure and 2 h post surgery).

Results

Peak anxiety levels for the STAI-state and VASA were highest at admission and showed significant decreases to skin closure (p < .001). The subjective measures correlated significantly at all time points (p-values < .001). For cortisol levels the peak level of anxiety was shown at skin closure with a significant increase from admission to skin closure and a significant decrease from skin closure to 2 h post operation (p-values < .001). Additionally women with STAI-trait scores above the median showed significantly higher levels at the peaks of anxiety.

Conclusion

The study reveals the course of anxiety on the day of the caesarean section. A strong correlation of STAI-state and VASA was demonstrated. Cortisol showed a different course, which fits into its known biological kinetics. Taking into account all measures, anxiety seems to be most bothersome before surgery until skin closure. In a differentiated approach using STAI-trait scores as a discriminator we showed that the group with STAI-trait levels above the median is particularly prone to develop anxiety in the setting of the caesarean section and might therefore mostly be in need of an intervention against anxiety.

Abstract OT1-2-03: The DETECT-study concept: Treatment based on the phenotype of circulating tumor cells in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer

Background: The prognostic impact of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is well demonstrated. The role of CTCs in predicting specific treatment response and the importance of CTC phenotypes for therapeutic decisions will be investigated within the DETECT-study concept.

Trial Design and eligibility criteria: The DETECT studies are prospective, multicenter, open-label clinical trials designed for patients with HER2-negative MBC and evidence of CTCs in the peripheral blood. DETECT III is a two-arm study for patients with HER2-positve CTCs, randomized to physician’s choice therapy (chemotherapy or endocrine treatment) with or without additional HER2-targeted treatment with lapatinib. DETECT IV combines tow single-arm studies aimed at patients with HER2-negative CTCs. Postmenopausal patients with hormone-receptor-positive MBC will be treated with the mTOR-inhibitor everolimus in combination with an endocrine therapy of physician’s choice (everolimus cohort), whereas patients with triple-negative or hormone-receptor-positive MBC and indication to chemotherapy will receive eribulin (eribulin cohort).

Specific aims: The primary objective of the trials is to estimate the clinical efficacy of treatments, assessed by the CTC clearance rate for DETECT III and by progression-free survival (PFS) for DETECT IV.

Methods: Prevalence of CTCs at various time points as well as the HER2 status of CTCs are assessed using the FDA-approved CellSearch System (Veridex, USA). After immunomagnetic enrichment with an anti-EpCam-antibody, cells were labelled with anti-CK8/18/19 and anti-CD45 antibodies to distinguish epithelial cells from leucocytes. A fluorescein conjugate antibody with anti-CK-Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC) was used for HER2 phenotyping. The cut-off for CTC-positivity was 1 CTC and for HER2 1 CTC with strong HER2-staining (+++). Survival endpoints will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Present and target accrual: Overall, about 2000 patients with HER2-negative MBC will have to be screened for CTCs to be able to recruit 228 patients with HER2-positive CTCs for DETECT III (which started in February 2012), 400 patients with HER2-negative CTCs for DETECT IV- everolimus cohort (which started in December 2013) and 120 patients for DETECT IV- eribulin cohort (which will start in the second half of 2014). 907 patients have been recruited for CTC screening until June 2014.

Perspectives: One screening for CTCs offers different treatment options for patients with HER2-negative MBC and evidence of CTCs within the DETECT-study concept. DETEC III is the first study to investigate a personalized targeted treatment based on the phenotype of CTCs. The addition of a HER2-targeted therapy in case of HER2-positive CTCs is innovative and in case of success will lead to new treatment strategies in MBC. DETECT IV complements DETECT III with regard to additional therapy indications.

Citation Format: Bernadette AS Jaeger, Susanne Albrecht, Fabienne Schochter, Carola A Melcher, Carsten Hagenbeck, Thomas WP Friedl, Brigitte Rack, Volkmar Müller, Peter A Fasching, Wolfgang Janni, Tanja Fehm. The DETECT-study concept: Treatment based on the phenotype of circulating tumor cells in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-2-03.

Abstract P4-01-08: Persistence of circulating tumor cells immediately after and two years after systemic adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer – Results of the German SUCCESS trials

Background

There is growing evidence that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have prognostic impact in patients (pts) with early breast cancer (EBC). In this study the persistence of CTCs immediately after and two years after chemotherapy (Ctx) was prospectively evaluated according to molecular subtypes within the German multicentre SUCCESS trials.

Methods

SUCCESS A and C were randomized Phase III studies including pts with node positive or high-risk node negative EBC. In each trial two different adjuvant Ctx regimen were compared: FEC-DOC (3 cycles of FEC followed by 3 cycles of Docetaxel) to FEC-DG (3 cycles of FEC followed by 3 cycles of Docetaxel/Gemcitabine) in SUCCESS A and in the SUCCESS C study FEC-DOC to an anthracycline-free Ctx regimen (6 cycles of Docetaxel/Cyclophosphamide). Both studies involved a second randomization after Ctx: 2 vs. 5 years of zoledronic acid treatment (SUCCESS A) or 2-years of an individualized lifestyle-intervention program vs. general lifestyle recommendations (SUCCESS C). Adequate endocrine treatment and treatment with trastuzumab as indicated were included in both trials.

As part of the translational research program, 23ml of peripheral blood were drawn to isolate CTCs using the CellSearch System (Veridex, USA). After immunomagnetic enrichment with an anti-EpCam-antibody, cells were labelled with anti-CK8/18/19 and anti-CD45 antibodies to distinguish epithelial cells from leucocytes. The cut-off for CTC-positivity was ≥ 1 CTC.

Molecular subtypes were defined as luminal-A-like (hormone-receptor positive, G1 or 2), luminal-B-like (hormone-receptor positive, G3), HER2-positive and triple-negative.

Results

CTC analyses were performed for 3344 blood samples collected immediately after Ctx and for 1352 blood samples two years after Ctx. After Ctx 17.5% (584/3344) of the pts were CTC-positive (range 1 – 124 CTCs), and two years after Ctx the positivity rate for CTCs was 17.2% (233/1352, range 1-99).

CTC positivity as assessed immediately after Ctx differed significantly among molecular subtypes (chi-square test, p &lt; 0.001): Pts with HER2-positive tumors were more likely to have CTCs in the blood (26.3%, 105/400) as compared to pts with luminal-A-like tumors (15.4%, 283/1842), luminal-B-like tumors (17.7%, 142/802), or triple-negative tumors (18.0%, 54/300).

Two years after Ctx CTC-positivity did not differ significantly among molecular subtypes (chi-square test, p = 0.463). CTC-positivity rates were 15.7% (96/613) for luminal-A-like tumors, 19.1% (49/256) for luminal-B-like tumors, 17.2% (51/296) for HER2-positive tumors, and 19.8% (37/187) for triple-negative tumors.

Conclusions

The data of this study confirm previous findings that CTCs may persist after standard adjuvant therapy. Immediately after Ctx CTCs seem to be more frequent in pts with HER2-positive tumors as compared to other molecular subtypes, while two years after Ctx no differences in CTC positivity among molecular subtypes were detected. These results might indicate good efficacy of HER2-targeted therapies on CTCs.

Citation Format: Bernadette AS Jaeger, Ulrich Andergassen, Julia K Neugebauer, Marianna Alunni-Fabbroni, Carola A Melcher, Carsten Hagenbeck, Susanne Albrecht, Ralf Lorenz, Thomas Decker, Georg Heinrich, Tanja Fehm, Andreas Schneeweiss, Matthias W Beckmann, Klaus Pantel, Klaus Friese, Peter A Fasching, Thomas WP Friedl, Wolfgang Janni, Brigitte K Rack. Persistence of circulating tumor cells immediately after and two years after systemic adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer – Results of the German SUCCESS trials [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-01-08.

Abstract OT2-6-10: DETECT IV – A multicenter, single arm, phase II study evaluating the efficacy of everolimus in combination with endocrine therapy in patients with HER2-negative, hormone-receptor positive metastatic breast cancer and HER2-negative circulating tumor cells (CTCs)

BACKGROUND: The monitoring of therapy efficacy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is a very important component of treatment. Several studies have indicated that the determination of prevalence and number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) at various times during treatment may be an effective tool for assessing treatment efficacy. Even if the prognostic value of CTCs in MBC is well understood, the role of CTC prevalence and - in particular - CTC phenotype in predicting treatment response requires further investigation. While the recently started DETECT III-trial is designed to evaluate the effect of HER2-targeted therapy in patients with HER2-negative MBC and HER2-postive CTCs, DETECT IV aims to assess the effect of an endocrine treatment in combination with the mTOR-inhibitor everolimus for patients with HER2-negative CTCs.

SPECIFIC AIMS/TRIAL DESIGN: DETECT IV is a prospective, multicenter, open-label, single arm phase II study aimed at postmenopausal patients with hormone-receptor positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Patients with HER2-negative CTCs will be treated with Everolimus in combination with an endocrine therapy according to the physician's choice (letrozole, anastrozole, exemestan or tamoxifen). The primary objective of the trial is to estimate the clinical efficacy of everolimus in combination with endocrine therapy as assessed by progression-free survival (PFS) in the targeted patient population. Additional research will be done on CTC dynamics and characteristics (e.g. PI3K-mutation-analysis). This will provide a better understanding of prognostic and predictive value of the CTCs. This clinical trial is one more step into a more personalized therapy for metastatic breast cancer and will provide further information on CTCs and their informative value during the therapy.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: In this trial postmenopausal female patients suffering from hormone-receptor positive, HER2-negative metastasizing breast cancer with HER2-negative circulating tumor cells (CTC) and indication for standard anticancer therapy will be included.

STATISTICAL METHODS/TARGET ACCRUAL: DETECT IV will start in September 2013. The estimated number of patients is 400. Therefore, 2000 patients need to be screened for HER2-negative CTCs. This screening is combined with the DETECT III - trail, which started February 2012. The primary endpoint progression-free survival will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Prevalence and number of CTCs at various time points will be determined using the FDA-approved CellSearch System (Veridex, USA). In addition, different measures of CTC dynamics and their value for evaluating therapy efficacy or as a prognostic tool will be examined in detail by explorative data analyses.

Contact information: fabienne.schochter@uniklinik-ulm.de.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr OT2-6-10.

Abstract OT1-1-11: DETECT III - A multicenter, randomized, phase III trial to compare standard therapy alone versus standard therapy plus lapatinib in patients with initially HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer and HER2-positive circulating tumor cells

Background: In metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients, HER2 status may be subject to change and it has been shown that 20-30% of initially HER2-negative patients have HER2-positive metastases. The discordance of the HER2 status between primary tumor and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may be an important factor affecting the response to HER2-targeted treatments; however, it is unclear if therapy based on the HER2 status of CTC offers a clinical benefit for patients.

Trial Design: DETECT III is a recruiting prospective, multicenter, open-label, two-arm, phase-III study for patients with HER2-negative MBC. Patients with HER2-positve CTCs are randomized to receive either a standard therapy of the physician's choice alone or a standard therapy plus additional HER2-targeted treatment with Lapatinib.

Main Eligibility criteria:

- Metastatic breast cancer;

- HER2-negative primary tumor tissue and/or biopsies from metastatic sites;

- Evidence of at least 1 HER2-positive CTC out of 7.5 ml blood;

- Indication for systemic treatment

- ≥1 lesion evaluable according to RECIST

Specific aims: The objective of the DETECT III trial is to estimate the clinical efficacy of standard therapy plus lapatinib as assessed by progression free survival (PFS) in patients with initially HER2-negative MBC and HER2-positive CTCs. Additional research will be performed on CTC dynamic and characteristics.

Present accrual and target accrual: The DETECT III – trial started February 2012 and has analyzed so far (2013-06-06) 506 patients. We found CTCs in 336 (66.4%) patients (median 7 CTCs, range 1-35078). 67 of these patients (19.9%) had at least one HER2 positive CTC. Estimated patient enrollment is 228.

Methods: The primary endpoint progression-free survival will be estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Prevalence and number of CTCs at various time points as well as the HER2 status of CTCs will be determined using the FDA-approved CellSearch System (Veridex, USA). In addition, different measures of CTC dynamics and their value for evaluating therapy efficacy or as a prognostic tool will be examined in detail by explorative data analyses.

Perspectives: The DETECT III-Trail is the first study where treatment is based on phenotypic characteristics of CTCs. If this trial succeeds in proving efficacy of lapatinib in patients with initially HER2-negative primary tumor but HER2-positive CTCs, it may lead to a new strategy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Contact information: nikolaus.de-gregorio@uniklinik-ulm.de.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr OT1-1-11.

Circulating tumour cells in breast cancer

Evaluation of isolated tumour cells in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood has become a major focus of translational cancer research. The presence of disseminated tumour cells in BM is a common phenomenon observed in 30–40% of primary breast cancer patients and independently predicts reduced clinical outcome. The detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in blood might become a desired alternative to the invasive and painful BM biopsy. Recent clinical trials confirmed the feasibility of CTC detection as a robust and reproducible parameter for prognostication in both adjuvant and metastatic setting. The characterisation of CTCs might become an important biomarker for therapy monitoring and help to identify specific targets for novel therapeutic strategies.