1
|
Harshbarger CL. Harnessing the power of Microscale AcoustoFluidics: A perspective based on BAW cancer diagnostics. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2024; 18:011304. [PMID: 38434238 PMCID: PMC10907075 DOI: 10.1063/5.0180158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Cancer directly affects one in every three people, and mortality rates strongly correlate with the stage at which diagnosis occurs. Each of the multitude of methods used in cancer diagnostics has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Two common drawbacks are a limited information value of image based diagnostic methods and high invasiveness when opting for methods that provide greater insight. Microfluidics offers a promising avenue for isolating circulating tumor cells from blood samples, offering high informational value at predetermined time intervals while being minimally invasive. Microscale AcoustoFluidics, an active method capable of manipulating objects within a fluid, has shown its potential use for the isolation and measurement of circulating tumor cells, but its full potential has yet to be harnessed. Extensive research has focused on isolating single cells, although the significance of clusters should not be overlooked and requires attention within the field. Moreover, there is room for improvement by designing smaller and automated devices to enhance user-friendliness and efficiency as illustrated by the use of bulk acoustic wave devices in cancer diagnostics. This next generation of setups and devices could minimize streaming forces and thereby enable the manipulation of smaller objects, thus aiding in the implementation of personalized oncology for the next generation of cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C. L. Harshbarger
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomechanics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and Institute for Mechanical Systems, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Han Z, Peng X, Yang Y, Yi J, Zhao D, Bao Q, Long S, Yu SX, Xu XX, Liu B, Liu YJ, Shen Y, Qiao L. Integrated microfluidic-SERS for exosome biomarker profiling and osteosarcoma diagnosis. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 217:114709. [PMID: 36115123 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is one of the most frequent primary sarcoma of bone among adolescents. Early diagnosis of osteosarcoma is the key factor to achieve high survival rate of patients. Nevertheless, traditional histological biopsy is highly invasive and associated with the risk of arousing tumor spread. Herein, we develop a method integrating microfluidics and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to isolate plasma-derived exosomes and profile multiple exosomal biomarkers for the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. The method showed highly efficient isolation of exosomes directly from human plasma and can profile exosomes based on protein biomarkers, with the detection limit down to 2 exosomes per μL. The whole assay can be performed in 5 h and only consumed 50 μL of plasma for one analysis. With the method, we analyzed the level of three protein biomarkers, i.e., CD63, vimentin (VIM) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), on plasma-derived exosomes from 20 osteosarcoma patients and 20 heathy controls. Significantly higher levels of CD63, VIM and EpCAM were observed on plasma exosomes from the osteosarcoma patients compared to the healthy controls. Based on the level of the exosomal biomarkers, a classification model was built for the rapid diagnosis of osteosarcoma, with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 100%, 90% and 95%, respectively. The proposed method does not require complex operations nor expensive equipment, and has great promise in clinical diagnosis of cancer as a liquid biopsy technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Han
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China; Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xinyan Peng
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Jia Yi
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Qiyuan Bao
- Department of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Shuping Long
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sai-Xi Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, China
| | - Xin-Xin Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, China
| | - Baohong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Yan-Jun Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, China
| | - Yuhui Shen
- Department of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Liang Qiao
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
|
4
|
Applications of liquid biopsy in the Pharmacological Audit Trail for anticancer drug development. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:454-467. [PMID: 33762744 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00489-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Anticancer drug development is a costly and protracted activity, and failure at late phases of clinical testing is common. We have previously proposed the Pharmacological Audit Trail (PhAT) intended to improve the efficiency of drug development, with a focus on the use of tumour tissue-based biomarkers. Blood-based 'liquid biopsy' approaches, such as targeted or whole-genome sequencing studies of plasma circulating cell-free tumour DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumour cells (CTCs), are of increasing relevance to this drug development paradigm. Liquid biopsy assays can provide quantitative and qualitative data on prognostic, predictive, pharmacodynamic and clinical response biomarkers, and can also enable the characterization of disease evolution and resistance mechanisms. In this Perspective, we examine the promise of integrating liquid biopsy analyses into the PhAT, focusing on the current evidence, advances, limitations and challenges. We emphasize the continued importance of analytical validation and clinical qualification of circulating tumour biomarkers through prospective clinical trials.
Collapse
|
5
|
Fasanya HO, Dopico PJ, Yeager Z, Fan ZH, Siemann DW. Using a combination of gangliosides and cell surface vimentin as surface biomarkers for isolating osteosarcoma cells in microfluidic devices. J Bone Oncol 2021; 28:100357. [PMID: 33912384 PMCID: PMC8065304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2021.100357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumor and the third leading cause of pediatric cancer deaths. Liquid biopsies are an alternative to current diagnostic imaging modalities that can be used to monitor treatment efficacy and the development of metastases. This study addresses the use of novel biomarkers to detect circulating osteosarcoma cells. Procedures Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the relative expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), ganglioside 2 and 3 (GD2/3), and cell surface vimentin (CSV) on a panel of OS cell lines. A microfluidic device was used to affirm the efficacy of GD2/3 and CSV to capture CTCs. Once captured, CTCs on the device are enumerated and the capture efficiency for each marker is measured. Patient samples were captured using the LFAM chip. Results We report the evaluation of GD2, GD3, and CSV as markers for OS cell capture in cell lines and in patient samples. The results of our capture studies correlate with our flow cytometry data and have shown a low capture efficiency of OS cells using EpCAM antibodies, while showing a moderate capture efficiency of OS cells using the GD2, GD3, and CSV antibodies independently. The combination of biomarkers demonstrate a high capture efficiency of approximately 80%. This is further supported by the detection of 1-1.5 CTCs per mL of blood using GD2 + CSV in OS patient samples. Conclusions The combination of GD2 + CSV significantly increased the capture efficacy of OS cells. The detection of CTCs through routine blood sampling may be used clinically for earlier detection of metastases and monitoring the therapeutic effect of treatments in metastatic osteosarcomas.
Collapse
Key Words
- CK, Cytokeratin
- CSV, Cell Surface Vimentin
- CTC, Circulating Tumor Cell
- Circulating tumor cells
- DAPI, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole
- EpCAM, Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
- GD2, Ganglioside 2
- GD3, Ganglioside 3
- Ganglioside GD2
- Ganglioside GD3
- IHC, Immunohistochemistry
- OS, Osteosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- PET, Positron Emission Tomography
- Vimentin
- mL, Milliliter
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henrietta O. Fasanya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- College of Medicine MD-PhD Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Corresponding authors at: Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Gainesville, FL, USA (Z.H. Fan) Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA (H.O. Fasanya).
| | - Pablo J. Dopico
- Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zachary Yeager
- Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Z. Hugh Fan
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Corresponding authors at: Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Gainesville, FL, USA (Z.H. Fan) Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA (H.O. Fasanya).
| | - Dietmar W. Siemann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Corresponding authors at: Interdisciplinary Microsystems Group, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Gainesville, FL, USA (Z.H. Fan) Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA (H.O. Fasanya).
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Al Faruque H, Choi ES, Lee HR, Kim JH, Park S, Kim E. Targeted removal of leukemia cells from the circulating system by whole-body magnetic hyperthermia in mice. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:2773-2786. [PMID: 31957767 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr06730b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Until now, magnetic hyperthermia was used to remove solid tumors by targeting magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to tumor sites. In this study, leukemia cells in the bloodstream were directly removed by whole-body hyperthermia, using leukemia cell-specific MNPs. An epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody was immobilized on the surface of MNPs (EpCAM-MNPs) to introduce the specificity of MNPs to leukemia cells. The viability of THP1 cells (human monocytic leukemia cells) was decreased to 40.8% of that in control samples by hyperthermia using EpCAM-MNPs. In AKR mice, an animal model of lymphoblastic leukemia, the number of leukemia cells was measured following the intravenous injection of EpCAM-MNPs and subsequent whole-body hyperthermia treatment. The result showed that the leukemia cell number was also decreased to 43.8% of that without the treatment of hyperthermia, determined by Leishman staining of leukemia cells. To support the results, simulation analysis of heat transfer from MNPs to leukemia cells was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software. The surface temperature of leukemia cells adhered to EpCAM-MNPs was predicted to be increased to 82 °C, whereas the temperature of free cells without adhered MNPs was predicted to be 38 °C. Taken together, leukemia cells were selectively removed by magnetic hyperthermia from the bloodstream, because EpCAM-modified magnetic particles were specifically attached to leukemia cell surfaces. This approach has the potential to remove metastatic cancer cells, and pathogenic bacteria and viruses floating in the bloodstream.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Al Faruque
- Companion Diagnostics and Medical Technology Research Group, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eun-Sook Choi
- Companion Diagnostics and Medical Technology Research Group, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyo-Ryong Lee
- Department of Robotics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jung-Hee Kim
- Companion Diagnostics and Medical Technology Research Group, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sukho Park
- Department of Robotics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eunjoo Kim
- Companion Diagnostics and Medical Technology Research Group, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kim YS, Kaidina AM, Chiang JH, Yarygin KN, Lupatov AY. Cancer stem cell molecular markers verified in vivo. BIOCHEMISTRY MOSCOW-SUPPLEMENT SERIES B-BIOMEDICAL CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1990750817010036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
|
8
|
van Driel PBAA, Boonstra MC, Prevoo HAJM, van de Giessen M, Snoeks TJA, Tummers QRJG, Keereweer S, Cordfunke RA, Fish A, van Eendenburg JDH, Lelieveldt BPF, Dijkstra J, van de Velde CJH, Kuppen PJK, Vahrmeijer AL, Löwik CWGM, Sier CFM. EpCAM as multi-tumour target for near-infrared fluorescence guided surgery. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:884. [PMID: 27842504 PMCID: PMC5109830 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2932-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Evaluation of resection margins during cancer surgery can be challenging, often resulting in incomplete tumour removal. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) aims to aid the surgeon to visualize tumours and resection margins during surgery. FGS relies on a clinically applicable imaging system in combination with a specific tumour-targeting contrast agent. In this study EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) is evaluated as target for FGS in combination with the novel Artemis imaging system. Methods The NIR fluorophore IRDye800CW was conjugated to the well-established EpCAM specific monoclonal antibody 323/A3 and an isotype IgG1 as control. The anti-EpCAM/800CW conjugate was stable in serum and showed preserved binding capacity as evaluated on EpCAM positive and negative cell lines, using flow cytometry and cell-based plate assays. Four clinically relevant orthotopic tumour models, i.e. colorectal cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and peritonitis carcinomatosa, were used to evaluate the performance of the anti-EpCAM agent with the clinically validated Artemis imaging system. The Pearl Impulse small animal imaging system was used as reference. The specificity of the NIRF signal was confirmed using bioluminescence imaging and green-fluorescent protein. Results All tumour types could clearly be delineated and resected 72 h after injection of the imaging agent. Using NIRF imaging millimetre sized tumour nodules were detected that were invisible for the naked eye. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated the distribution and tumour specificity of the anti-EpCAM agent. Conclusions This study shows the potential of an EpCAM specific NIR-fluorescent agent in combination with a clinically validated intraoperative imaging system to visualize various tumours during surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P B A A van Driel
- Department of Radiology, Division of Molecular Imaging, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands.,Percuros BV, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - M C Boonstra
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - H A J M Prevoo
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - M van de Giessen
- Department of Radiology and Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - T J A Snoeks
- Department of Radiology, Division of Molecular Imaging, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Q R J G Tummers
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - S Keereweer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - R A Cordfunke
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - A Fish
- Division of Biochemistry, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - B P F Lelieveldt
- Department of Radiology and Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - J Dijkstra
- Department of Radiology and Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - C J H van de Velde
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - P J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands.,Antibodies for Research Applications BV, Gouda, The Netherlands
| | - A L Vahrmeijer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - C W G M Löwik
- Department of Radiology, Division of Molecular Imaging, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - C F M Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands. .,Antibodies for Research Applications BV, Gouda, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tellez-Gabriel M, Brown HK, Young R, Heymann MF, Heymann D. The Challenges of Detecting Circulating Tumor Cells in Sarcoma. Front Oncol 2016; 6:202. [PMID: 27656422 PMCID: PMC5013264 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2016.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms of mesenchymal origin, many of which have a propensity to develop distant metastases. Cancer cells that have escaped from the primary tumor are able to invade into surrounding tissues, to intravasate into the bloodstream to become circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and are responsible for the generation of distant metastases. Due to the rarity of these tumors and the absence of specific markers expressed by sarcoma tumor cells, the characterization of sarcoma CTCs has to date been relatively limited. Current techniques for isolating sarcoma CTCs are based on size criteria, the identification of circulating cells that express either common mesenchymal markers, sarcoma-specific markers, such as CD99, CD81, or PAX3, and chromosomal translocations found in certain sarcoma subtypes, such as EWS-FLI1 in Ewing’s sarcoma, detection of osteoblast-related genes, or measurement of the activity of specific metabolic enzymes. Further studies are needed to improve the isolation and characterization of sarcoma CTCs, to demonstrate their clinical significance as predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers, and to utilize CTCs as a tool for investigating the metastatic process in sarcoma and to identify novel therapeutic targets. The present review provides a short overview of the most recent literature on CTCs in sarcoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tellez-Gabriel
- UMR 957, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Equipe Ligue 2012, Faculty of Medicine, INSERM, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; Laboratotio Hematologia Oncologica y de Transplantes, Institut Investigacions Biomèdiques (IBB) Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hannah K Brown
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM-University of Sheffield, Sarcoma Research Unit, Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Robin Young
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM-University of Sheffield, Sarcoma Research Unit, Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Marie-Françoise Heymann
- UMR 957, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Equipe Ligue 2012, Faculty of Medicine, INSERM, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM-University of Sheffield, Sarcoma Research Unit, Medical School, Sheffield, UK; Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
| | - Dominique Heymann
- UMR 957, Pathophysiology of Bone Resorption and Therapy of Primary Bone Tumours, Equipe Ligue 2012, Faculty of Medicine, INSERM, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; European Associated Laboratory, INSERM-University of Sheffield, Sarcoma Research Unit, Medical School, Sheffield, UK; Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Significance of circulating tumor cells in soft tissue sarcoma. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2015; 2015:697395. [PMID: 26167450 PMCID: PMC4488514 DOI: 10.1155/2015/697395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells can be detected from the peripheral blood of cancer patients. Their prognostic value has been established in the last 10 years for metastatic colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. On the contrary their presence in patients affected by sarcomas has been poorly investigated. The discovery of EpCAM mRNA expression in different sarcoma cell lines and in a small cohort of metastatic sarcoma patients supports further investigations on these rare tumors to deepen the importance of CTC isolation. Although it is not clear whether EpCAM expression might be originally present on tumor sarcoma cells or acquired during the mesenchymal-epithelial transition, the discovery of EpCAM on circulating sarcoma cells opens a new scenario in CTC detection in patients affected by a rare mesenchymal tumor.
Collapse
|