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Mäurer M, Schott D, Pizon M, Drozdz S, Wendt T, Wittig A, Pachmann K. Increased Circulating Epithelial Tumor Cells (CETC/CTC) over the Course of Adjuvant Radiotherapy Is a Predictor of Less Favorable Outcome in Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Curr Oncol 2022; 30:261-273. [PMID: 36661670 PMCID: PMC9857667 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is an integral component of a multidisciplinary treatment strategy for early-stage breast cancer. It significantly reduces the incidence of loco-regional recurrence but also of distant events. Distant events are due to tumor cells disseminated from the primary tumor into lymphatic fluid or blood, circulating epithelial tumor cells (CETC/CTC), which can reach distant tissues and regrow into metastases. The purpose of this study is to determine changes in the number of CETC/CTC in the course of adjuvant RT, and to evaluate whether they are correlated to local recurrence and distant metastases in breast cancer patients. METHODS Blood from 165 patients irradiated between 2002 and 2012 was analyzed 0-6 weeks prior to and 0-6 weeks after RT using the maintrac® method, and patients were followed over a median period of 8.97 (1.16-19.09) years. RESULTS Patients with an increase in CETC/CTC numbers over the course of adjuvant RT had a significantly worse disease-free survival (p = 0.004) than patients with stable or decreasing CETC/CTC numbers. CETC/CTC behavior was the most important factor in predicting subsequent relapse-free survival. In particular, patients who had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were disproportionately more likely to develop metastases when cell counts increased over the course of RT (p = 0.003; hazard ratio 4.886). CONCLUSIONS Using the maintrac® method, CETC/CTC were detected in almost all breast cancer patients after surgery. The increase in CETC/CTC numbers over the course of RT represents a potential predictive biomarker to judge relative risk/benefit in patients with early breast cancer. The results of this study highlight the need for prospective clinical trials on CETC/CTC status as a predictive criterion and for individualization of treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial is registered (2 May 2019) at trials.gov under NCT03935802.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Mäurer
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Bachstraße 18, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Clinician Scientist Program OrganAge, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Dorothea Schott
- Transfusionsmedizinisches Zentrum Bayreuth, Kurpromenade 2, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Monika Pizon
- Transfusionsmedizinisches Zentrum Bayreuth, Kurpromenade 2, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Sonia Drozdz
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Bachstraße 18, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Wendt
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Bachstraße 18, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Andrea Wittig
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Bachstraße 18, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Katharina Pachmann
- Transfusionsmedizinisches Zentrum Bayreuth, Kurpromenade 2, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany
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Schreier S, Budchart P, Borwornpinyo S, Arpornwirat W, Lertsithichai P, Chirappapha P, Triampo W. New inflammatory indicators for cell-based liquid biopsy: association of the circulating CD44+/CD24− non-hematopoietic rare cell phenotype with breast cancer residual disease. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04330-5. [PMID: 36100762 PMCID: PMC9470072 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04330-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Breast cancer residual disease assessment in early-stage patients has been challenging and lacks routine identification of adjuvant therapy benefit and objective measure of therapy success. Liquid biopsy assays targeting tumor-derived entities are investigated for minimal residual disease detection, yet perform low in clinical sensitivity. We propose the detection of CD44−related systemic inflammation for the assessment of residual cancer. Methods Circulating CD44+/CD45− rare cells from healthy, noncancer- and cancer-afflicted donors were enriched by CD45 depletion and analyzed by immuno-fluorescence microscopy. CD44+ rare cell subtyping was based on cytological feature analysis and referred to as morphological index. AUC analysis was employed for identification of the most cancer-specific CD44+ subtype. Results The EpCam−/CD44+/CD24−/CD71−/CD45−/DNA+ phenotype alludes to a distinct cell type and was found frequently at concentrations below 5 cells per 5 mL in healthy donors. Marker elevation by at least 5 × on average was observed in all afflicted cohorts. The positive predicted value for the prediction of malignancy-associated systemic inflammation of a CD44+ rare cell subtype with a higher morphological index was 87%. An outlook for the frequency of sustained inflammation in residual cancer may be given to measure 78%. Conclusion The CD44+ rare cell and subtype denotes improvement in detection of residual cancer disease and may provide an objective and alternative measure of disease burden in early-stage breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schreier
- School of Bioinnovation and Bio-Based Product Intelligence, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
- Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, 328 Si Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
- Premise Biosystems Co. Ltd, Bangkok, 10540, Thailand.
| | | | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Premise Biosystems Co. Ltd, Bangkok, 10540, Thailand
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Wichit Arpornwirat
- Department of Oncology, Bangkok Hospital, 2 Soi Soonvijai 7, New Petchburi Rd, Huaykwang, Bangkok, 10310, Thailand
| | - Panuwat Lertsithichai
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Prakasit Chirappapha
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Wannapong Triampo
- Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, 328 Si Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
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Zhou J, Wu J, Hao X, Li P, Zhang H, Wu X, Chen J, Liu J, Xiao J, Zhang S, Jiang Z, Yang Y, Hu Z, Wang T. An exploratory study on the checkout rate of circulating tumor cells and the prediction of efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy and prognosis in patients with HER-2-positive early breast cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:966624. [PMID: 35992876 PMCID: PMC9388052 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.966624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundNeoadjuvant therapy is a standard treatment for patients with large, nonmetastatic breast cancer and may allow breast-conserving surgery after tumor downsizing while decreasing the risk of subsequent relapse. Dynamic changes of circulation tumor cells (CTCs) have a role in predicting treatment efficacy of breast cancer. However, the relationship between CTC enumeration before neoadjuvant therapy and pathologic complete response rate is still uncertain.MethodsThe study was exploratory. A total of 50 breast cancer patients were enrolled in a phase II clinical study of neoadjuvant therapy for HER-2-positive early breast cancer. They were enrolled for blood draws before and after neoadjuvant therapy. We used two methods (CellSearch and TUMORFISH) to detect CTCs. We compared the sensitivity of the two systems and investigated the correlation of the enumeration on baseline CTCs with the diagnosis, prognosis, and efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy of the patients with HER-2-positive early breast cancer. We also explored the dynamic change of CTCs after neoadjuvant therapy.ResultsThe sensitivity of TUMORFISHER (27/50) method was significantly higher than that of the CellSearch system (15/50, p=0.008). The CTC numbers detected by the two detection systems were not significantly correlated with lymph node status, clinical stage, ki-67 level and hormone receptor status. Patients with ≥1 CTC before neoadjuvant therapy measured by the TUMORFISHER system had a significant high pCR rate (74.1% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.013); whereas, there was no predictive effect on pCR by CellSearch system (73.3% vs. 51.4%, p = 0.15). Patients with a decrease in CTCs enumeration after neoadjuvant therapy were more likely to achieve pCR than those with no change or increase in CTCs enumeration (87.5% vs 50.0%, p = 0.015) by the TUMORFISHER method. Unfortunately, there was no predictive value of CTCs enumeration for EFS before and after neoadjuvant therapy by two methods.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that the new CTCs detection method TUMORFISHER system has a higher checkout rate in early breast cancer than the CellSearch system, and shows the opportunity of CTC enumeration as a novel assistant biomarker to predict the response of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with HER-2-positive early breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmei Zhou
- Breast Cancer Department of Oncology Institute, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangling Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Medical Sciences Research Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaopeng Hao
- Department of General Surgery, the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Li
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Huiqiang Zhang
- Breast Cancer Department of Oncology Institute, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xuexue Wu
- Breast Cancer Department of Oncology Institute, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxin Chen
- Department of Oncology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital/Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawei Liu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinyi Xiao
- Breast Cancer Department of Oncology Institute, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shaohua Zhang
- Breast Cancer Department of Oncology Institute, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zefei Jiang
- Breast Cancer Department of Oncology Institute, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanlian Yang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Hu
- Medical Sciences Research Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiyuan Hu, ; Tao Wang,
| | - Tao Wang
- Breast Cancer Department of Oncology Institute, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiyuan Hu, ; Tao Wang,
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Pizon M, Schott D, Pachmann U, Schobert R, Pizon M, Wozniak M, Bobinski R, Pachmann K. Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Assays as a Model of Patient-Derived Xenografts from Circulating Cancer Stem Cells (cCSCs) in Breast Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061476. [PMID: 35326627 PMCID: PMC8946779 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Circulating cancer cells—and in particular their very rare subpopulation, circulating cancer stem cells (cCSCs)—are responsible for recurrence and metastasis. In this study, we present a novel process in which patient-derived xenograft (PDX) can be harvested on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) from circulating cancer stem cells. In our opinion, the CAM-based PDX model using circulating cancer stem cells can provide a fast, low-cost, easy-to-use, and efficient preclinical platform for drug screening, therapy optimization, and biomarker discovery. Abstract Background: cCSCs are a small subset of circulating tumor cells with cancer stem cell features: resistance to cancer treatments and the capacity for generating metastases. PDX are an appreciated tool in oncology, providing biologically meaningful models of many cancer types, and potential platforms for the development of precision oncology approaches. Commonly, mouse models are used for the in vivo assessment of potential new therapeutic targets in cancers. However, animal models are costly and time consuming. An attractive alternative to such animal experiments is the chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay. Methods: In this study, primary cultures from cCSCs were established using the sphere-forming assay. Subsequently, tumorspheres were transplanted onto the CAM membrane of fertilized chicken eggs to form secondary microtumors. Results: We have developed an innovative in vitro platform for cultivation of cCSCs from peripheral blood of cancer patients. The number of tumorspheres increased significantly with tumor progression and aggressiveness of primary tumor. The number of tumorspheres was positively correlated with Ki-67, Her2 status, and grade score in primary breast tumors. The grafting of tumorspheres onto the CAM was successful and positively correlated with aggressiveness and proliferation capacity of the primary tumor. These tumors pathologically closely resembled the primary tumor. Conclusions: The number of tumorspheres cultured from peripheral blood and the success rate of establishing PDX directly reflect the aggressiveness and proliferation capacity of the primary tumor. A CAM-based PDX model using cCSC provides a fast, low-cost, easy to handle, and powerful preclinical platform for drug screening, therapy optimization, and biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Pizon
- Department of Research and Development, Transfusion Center Bayreuth, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.S.); (U.P.); (K.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Dorothea Schott
- Department of Research and Development, Transfusion Center Bayreuth, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.S.); (U.P.); (K.P.)
| | - Ulrich Pachmann
- Department of Research and Development, Transfusion Center Bayreuth, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.S.); (U.P.); (K.P.)
| | - Rainer Schobert
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany;
| | - Marek Pizon
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Clinic of Bayreuth, 95455 Bayreuth, Germany;
| | - Marta Wozniak
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Rafal Bobinski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bielsko-Biala, 43-309 Bielsko-Biała, Poland;
| | - Katharina Pachmann
- Department of Research and Development, Transfusion Center Bayreuth, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.S.); (U.P.); (K.P.)
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Shliakhtunou YA, Siamionau VM, Pobyarzhin VV. Transcription phenotype of circulating tumor cells in non-metastatic breast cancer. Carcinogenesis 2021; 43:21-27. [PMID: 34919653 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgab112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The presented research is relevant, as breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the female population worldwide, with the exception of skin cancer. The aim of this article is to study the transcription phenotype of circulating tumor cells in non-metastatic breast cancer. The transcriptional phenotype of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) was studied using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three-year OS was 79.2, and 90.8 without the expression with p Log-Rank=0.04. Independent prognostic factors for the recurrence of disease include the presence of CTCs expressing BIRC5 genes and ABC transporter genes in the peripheral blood before the start of special treatment for resectable breast cancer, as well as the preservation of CTCs per se after completion of special anticancer therapy. In patients with breast cancer stage I-IIIC, circulating tumor cells before special treatment have significant heterogeneity, manifested by a different transcriptional phenotype, including both actively growing and stem tumor cells, and cells at the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yauheni A Shliakhtunou
- Department of Oncology and Courses of Radiation Diagnostics and Radiation Therapy, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Valery M Siamionau
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus
| | - Vyacheslau V Pobyarzhin
- Department of Medical Biology and General Genetics, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus
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Parvanova I, Borziak K, Guarino J, Finkelstein J. A Platform for Integrating and Sharing Cancer Stem Cell Data. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2021; 2021:2320-2325. [PMID: 34891750 DOI: 10.1109/embc46164.2021.9630083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Advancements in cancer research and treatment have highlighted the need for standardization and sharing of cancer stem cell (CSC) data to facilitate research transparency and to promote collaboration within the scientific community. Although previous applications have attempted to gather and disseminate these data, currently no platform organizes the heterogeneous CSC information into a harmonized project-based framework. The aim of our platform, ReMeDy, is to provide an intelligent informatics solution integrating diverse CSC characteristics, outcomes information, and omics data across clinical, preclinical and in vitro studies. These heterogeneous data streams are organized within a multi-modular framework, subjected to a stringent validation by using standardized ontologies, and stored in a searchable format. To test usefulness of our approach for capturing diverse data related to CSCs, we integrated data from 52 publicly-available CSC projects. We validated the robustness of the platform, by efficiently organizing diverse data elements, and demonstrated its potential for promoting future knowledge discovery driven by aggregation of published data. Next steps include expanding number of uploaded CSC projects and developing additional data visualization tools. The platform is accessible through https://remedy.mssm.edu/.
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Zhong Y, Li H, Li P, Chen Y, Zhang M, Yuan Z, Zhang Y, Xu Z, Luo G, Fang Y, Li X. Exosomes: A New Pathway for Cancer Drug Resistance. Front Oncol 2021; 11:743556. [PMID: 34631581 PMCID: PMC8497983 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.743556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are secreted into body fluids by multiple cell types and are enriched in bioactive molecules, although their exact contents depend on the cells of origin. Studies have shown that exosomes in the tumor microenvironment affect tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistance by mediating intercellular communication and the transport of specific molecules, although their exact mechanisms of action need to be investigated further. In this review, we have summarized current knowledge on the relationship between tumor drug resistance and exosomes, and have discussed the potential applications of exosomes as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunbin Zhong
- Hand, Foot Vascular Surgery, Tungwah Hospital to Sun Yet-sen University, Dongguan, China
| | - Haibo Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peiwen Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Dermatology Department, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Mengyao Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhendong Yuan
- Hand, Foot Vascular Surgery, Tungwah Hospital to Sun Yet-sen University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yufang Zhang
- Anyang Tumor Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Anyang, China
| | - Zhijie Xu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Geng Luo
- Hand, Foot Vascular Surgery, Tungwah Hospital to Sun Yet-sen University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Mäurer M, Pachmann K, Wendt T, Schott D, Wittig A. Prospective Monitoring of Circulating Epithelial Tumor Cells (CETC) Reveals Changes in Gene Expression during Adjuvant Radiotherapy of Breast Cancer Patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:3507-3524. [PMID: 34590615 PMCID: PMC8482075 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28050302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Circulating epithelial tumor cells (CETC) are considered to be responsible for the formation of metastases. Therefore, their importance as prognostic and/or predictive markers in breast cancer is being intensively investigated. Here, the reliability of single cell expression analyses in isolated and collected CETC from whole blood samples of patients with early-stage breast cancer before and after radiotherapy (RT) using the maintrac® method was investigated. Single-cell expression analyses were performed with qRT-PCR on a panel of selected genes: GAPDH, EpCAM, NANOG, Bcl-2, TLR 4, COX-2, PIK3CA, Her-2/neu, Vimentin, c-Met, Ki-67. In all patients, viable CETC were detected prior to and at the end of radiotherapy. In 7 of the 9 (77.8%) subjects examined, the CETC number at the end of the radiotherapy series was higher than before. The majority of genes analyzed showed increased expression after completion of radiotherapy compared to baseline. Procedures and methods used in this pilot study proved to be feasible. The method is suitable for further investigation of the underlying molecular biological mechanisms occurring in cells surviving radiotherapy and possibly the development of radiation resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Mäurer
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Bachstraße 18, 07743 Jena, Germany; (T.W.); (A.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Katharina Pachmann
- Transfusion Center Bayreuth, Kurpromenade 2, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany; (K.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Thomas Wendt
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Bachstraße 18, 07743 Jena, Germany; (T.W.); (A.W.)
| | - Dorothea Schott
- Transfusion Center Bayreuth, Kurpromenade 2, 95448 Bayreuth, Germany; (K.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Andrea Wittig
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Bachstraße 18, 07743 Jena, Germany; (T.W.); (A.W.)
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