title: Clinical Significance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive gastrointestinal tract cancer. To date, the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTC) has been reported as a prognostic factor in peripheral blood from patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CellSearch system was used to isolate and enumerate CTCs. A total of 90 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. Peripheral blood specimens were collected before and after treatments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline analysis, CTCs were detected in 25 patients (27.8 %). Overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with than without CTCs. Follow-up blood specimens were obtained from 71 patients. Partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease after treatment were seen in 32, 12, and 27 patients, respectively. CTC positivity after treatment in the progressive disease group (40.7 %) was significantly higher than that of the partial response group (6.3 %). Patients with a change in CTC status from positive to negative had a good prognosis as well as patients without baseline CTCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of CTCs may be a promising indicator for predicting tumor prognosis and the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan. m7762@m2.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp.
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Matsushita
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Yoshikazu
authors: Y
authors: Uenosono
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Takaaki
authors: T
authors: Arigami
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Shigehiro
authors: S
authors: Yanagita
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Yuka
authors: Y
authors: Nishizono
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Takahiko
authors: T
authors: Hagihara
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Munetsugu
authors: M
authors: Hirata
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Naoto
authors: N
authors: Haraguchi
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Hideo
authors: H
authors: Arima
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Yuko
authors: Y
authors: Kijima
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Kurahara
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Kosei
authors: K
authors: Maemura
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Okumura
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Sumiya
authors: S
authors: Ishigami
authors: Department of Digestive Surgery, and Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors: Shoji
authors: S
authors: Natsugoe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
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