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Kotsifaki A, Maroulaki S, Armakolas A. Exploring the Immunological Profile in Breast Cancer: Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Prognosis through Circulating Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4832. [PMID: 38732051 PMCID: PMC11084220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This review offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate immunological landscape of breast cancer (BC), focusing on recent advances in diagnosis and prognosis through the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Positioned within the broader context of BC research, it underscores the pivotal role of the immune system in shaping the disease's progression. The primary objective of this investigation is to synthesize current knowledge on the immunological aspects of BC, with a particular emphasis on the diagnostic and prognostic potential offered by CTCs. This review adopts a thorough examination of the relevant literature, incorporating recent breakthroughs in the field. The methodology section succinctly outlines the approach, with a specific focus on CTC analysis and its implications for BC diagnosis and prognosis. Through this review, insights into the dynamic interplay between the immune system and BC are highlighted, with a specific emphasis on the role of CTCs in advancing diagnostic methodologies and refining prognostic assessments. Furthermore, this review presents objective and substantiated results, contributing to a deeper understanding of the immunological complexity in BC. In conclusion, this investigation underscores the significance of exploring the immunological profile of BC patients, providing valuable insights into novel advances in diagnosis and prognosis through the utilization of CTCs. The objective presentation of findings emphasizes the crucial role of the immune system in BC dynamics, thereby opening avenues for enhanced clinical management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Athanasios Armakolas
- Physiology Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (S.M.)
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Wu HJ, Chu PY. Current and Developing Liquid Biopsy Techniques for Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2052. [PMID: 35565189 PMCID: PMC9105073 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and leading cause of cancer mortality among woman worldwide. The techniques of diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy monitoring of breast cancer are critical. Current diagnostic techniques are mammography and tissue biopsy; however, they have limitations. With the development of novel techniques, such as personalized medicine and genetic profiling, liquid biopsy is emerging as the less invasive tool for diagnosing and monitoring breast cancer. Liquid biopsy is performed by sampling biofluids and extracting tumor components, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), cell-free mRNA (cfRNA) and microRNA (miRNA), proteins, and extracellular vehicles (EVs). In this review, we summarize and focus on the recent discoveries of tumor components and biomarkers applied in liquid biopsy and novel development of detection techniques, such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-Ju Wu
- Research Assistant Center, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Lukang Town, Changhua 505, Taiwan
- Department of Biology, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yi Chu
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Department of Health Food, Chung Chou University of Science and Technology, Changhua 510, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan
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3
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Müller V, Banys-Paluchowski M, Friedl TWP, Fasching PA, Schneeweiss A, Hartkopf A, Wallwiener D, Rack B, Meier-Stiegen F, Huober J, Rübner M, Hoffmann O, Müller L, Janni W, Wimberger P, Jäger B, Pantel K, Riethdorf S, Harbeck N, Fehm T. Prognostic relevance of the HER2 status of circulating tumor cells in metastatic breast cancer patients screened for participation in the DETECT study program. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100299. [PMID: 34839105 PMCID: PMC8637493 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been reported to predict clinical outcome in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Biology of CTCs may differ from that of the primary tumor and HER2-positive CTCs are found in some patients with HER2-negative tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with HER2-negative MBC were screened for participation in DETECT III and IV trials before the initiation of a new line of therapy. Blood samples were analyzed using CELLSEARCH. CTCs were labeled with an anti-HER2 antibody and classified according to staining intensity (negative, weak, moderate, or strong staining). RESULTS Screening blood samples were analyzed in 1933 patients with HER2-negative MBC. As many as 1217 out of the 1933 screened patients (63.0%) had ≥1 CTC per 7.5 ml blood; ≥5 CTCs were detected in 735 patients (38.0%; range 1-35 078 CTCs, median 8 CTCs). HER2 status of CTCs was assessed in 1159 CTC-positive patients; ≥1 CTC with strong HER2 staining was found in 174 (15.0%) patients. The proportion of CTCs with strong HER2 staining among all CTCs of an individual patient ranged between 0.06% and 100% (mean 15.8%). Patients with estrogen receptor (ER)- and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive tumors were more likely to harbor ≥1 CTC with strong HER2 staining. CTC status was significantly associated with overall survival (OS). Detection of ≥1 CTC with strong HER2 staining was associated with shorter OS [9.7 (7.1-12.3) versus 16.5 (14.9-18.1) months in patients with CTCs with negative-to-moderate HER2 staining only, P = 0.013]. In multivariate analysis, age, ER status, PR status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, therapy line, and CTC status independently predicted OS. CONCLUSION CTC detection in patients with HER2-negative disease is a strong prognostic factor. Presence of ≥1 CTC with strong HER2 staining was associated with shorter OS, supporting a biological role of HER2 expression on CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Müller
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - M Banys-Paluchowski
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - T W P Friedl
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - P A Fasching
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A Schneeweiss
- Division Gynecologic Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - A Hartkopf
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - D Wallwiener
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - B Rack
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - F Meier-Stiegen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - J Huober
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - M Rübner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - O Hoffmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - L Müller
- OnkologieUnterEms, Leer, Germany
| | - W Janni
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - P Wimberger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - B Jäger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - K Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - S Riethdorf
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - N Harbeck
- Breast Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and CCC Munich, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - T Fehm
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Banys-Paluchowski M, Fehm TN, Grimm-Glang D, Rody A, Krawczyk N. Liquid Biopsy in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Current Role of Circulating Tumor Cells and Circulating Tumor DNA. Oncol Res Treat 2021; 45:4-11. [PMID: 34718243 PMCID: PMC8985043 DOI: 10.1159/000520561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In metastatic breast cancer (MBC), blood-based diagnostics have become a major focus of oncological research in the last 2 decades. Detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has the potential to improve prognosis assessment and complement standard therapy monitoring tools. SUMMARY To date, several large analyses have confirmed high CTC counts as an independent prognostic factor. Persistently high CTC numbers during systemic treatment are associated with early progression, but it remains to be clarified which therapeutic options should be offered to such patients since the SWOG 0500 trial failed to show benefit from early switch to another chemotherapy regimen in patients with CTC persistence. In comparison, evidence on the prognostic value of ctDNA is still limited. Most importantly, liquid biopsy-guided treatment interventions have been investigated in several trials. In patients with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative MBC, CTC-driven therapy choices resulted in similar PFS to physician's choice treatment. Recently, the DETECT III trial has shown that patients with HER2-negative MBC and HER2-positive CTCs may benefit from targeted anti-HER2 treatment with lapatinib. ctDNA-driven therapy selection has already been approved in clinical routine: alpelisib is the first targeted treatment indicated on the basis of a ctDNA test. Key Messages: CTCs and ctDNA predict clinical outcome and have a potential to improve therapy choices in MBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Banys-Paluchowski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany,
- Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany,
| | - Tanja N Fehm
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Donata Grimm-Glang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Achim Rody
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Natalia Krawczyk
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Hu D, Liu H, Tian Y, Li Z, Cui X. Sorting Technology for Circulating Tumor Cells Based on Microfluidics. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2020; 22:701-711. [PMID: 33052651 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.0c00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) carry reliable clinical information for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer that is a malignant disease with a high mortality rate. However, the amount of CTCs in the blood is quite low. To obtain credible clinical information, an efficient method of extracting CTCs is necessary. Microfluidic technology has proven its effectiveness on CTCs separation in recent years. Here, we present a comprehensive review of CTC sorting methods based on microfluidics. Specifically, we introduce four different microfluidic sorting methods of CTCs and compare their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we summarize the analysis of CTCs based on microfluidics and present a prospective view of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayu Hu
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, China
| | - He Liu
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, China
| | - Ye Tian
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Xiaoyu Cui
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, China
- Minist Educ, Key Lab Intelligent Comp Med Image MIIC, Shenyang 110169, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Data Analytics and Optimization for Smart Industry, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, China
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