Clinical value of circulating endothelial cell detection in oncology.
Given the importance of tumor vasculature in tumor biology and as a target for treatment, there is an increasing need for biomarkers that reflect effects impacting tumor vasculature accurately. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) increase in number as a result of vascular damage in cancer and several other diseases. CEC count constitutes a promising tool for monitoring disease activity with potential to assess prognosis and response to treatment. Here, we address the current state-of-the-art of CEC enumeration as a biomarker in clinical oncology. We focus on technical issues concerning CEC detection, review results from clinical studies and explore future potential applications.
Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center - Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Groene Hilledijk 301, 3075 EA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.kraan@erasmusmc.nl
Jaco
J
Kraan
Stefan
S
Sleijfer
John A
JA
Foekens
Jan W
JW
Gratama
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D018189:Immunomagnetic Separation; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor