Prognostic value of circulating tumor cells in primary and metastatic breast cancer.
In patients with breast cancer, there is evidence correlating the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with disease-free survival, progression-free survival and overall survival. The detection of CTCs may be useful in gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms of tumor growth and in the improvement of patient management. This review analyzes the prognostic and predictive relevance of CTCs through the principal published studies, cytometric techniques and nucleic acid-based approaches to detect CTCs, phenotypic expression of specific receptors, molecular pathways and genetic signatures for potential tailored therapies.
European Institute of Oncology, Medical Care Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Ripamonti Street 435, Milan 20141, Italy. gaetano.aurilio@ieo.it
Gaetano
G
Aurilio
Angela
A
Sciandivasci
Elisabetta
E
Munzone
Maria Teresa
MT
Sandri
Laura
L
Zorzino
Maria Cristina
MC
Cassatella
Elena
E
Verri
Maria Cossu
MC
Rocca
Franco
F
Nolè
D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor