AIM: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) appear as potential candidates to predict the ability of breast tumors to metastasize. Moreover, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stem cell features are major mechanisms for metastasis. PATIENTS & METHODS: Using a triple fluorescence technique, the expression of EMT (N-cadherin) and stem cell markers (CD133) was analyzed in CTCs detected via cytokeratin in blood samples from 26 metastatic breast cancer patients. RESULTS: We detected CTCs in 100% of the patients (n = 831 CTCs). In total, 67% of the CTCs were N-cadherin and CD133 negative. Nonetheless, 87.8 and 57.6%, respectively, of the CTCs that expressed one marker coexpressed the other. Both double-negative and double-positive CTCs were present in more than 90% of the patients. Within the CTCs of each patient, we demonstrated striking heterogeneities of marker expressions, cell shapes, clusters and sizes. CONCLUSION: These data outline the importance of characterizing CTCs, especially through stem cell and EMT markers.
AIM: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) appear as potential candidates to predict the ability of breast tumors to metastasize. Moreover, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stem cell features are major mechanisms for metastasis. PATIENTS & METHODS: Using a triple fluorescence technique, the expression of EMT (N-cadherin) and stem cell markers (CD133) was analyzed in CTCs detected via cytokeratin in blood samples from 26 metastatic breast cancerpatients. RESULTS: We detected CTCs in 100% of the patients (n = 831 CTCs). In total, 67% of the CTCs were N-cadherin and CD133 negative. Nonetheless, 87.8 and 57.6%, respectively, of the CTCs that expressed one marker coexpressed the other. Both double-negative and double-positive CTCs were present in more than 90% of the patients. Within the CTCs of each patient, we demonstrated striking heterogeneities of marker expressions, cell shapes, clusters and sizes. CONCLUSION: These data outline the importance of characterizing CTCs, especially through stem cell and EMT markers.
Authors: Jose I Varillas; Jinling Zhang; Kangfu Chen; Isis I Barnes; Chen Liu; Thomas J George; Z Hugh Fan Journal: Theranostics Date: 2019-02-20 Impact factor: 11.556
Authors: Francesca Collina; Maurizio Di Bonito; Valeria Li Bergolis; Michelino De Laurentiis; Carlo Vitagliano; Margherita Cerrone; Francesco Nuzzo; Monica Cantile; Gerardo Botti Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2015-10-04 Impact factor: 3.411