Characterization of DNA Methylation in Circulating Tumor Cells.
Epigenetics contributes to molecular mechanisms leading to tumor cell transformation and systemic progression of cancer. However, the dynamics of epigenetic remodeling during metastasis remains unexplored. In this context, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) might enable a direct insight into epigenetic mechanisms relevant for metastasis by providing direct access to systemic cancer. CTCs can be used as prognostic markers in cancer patients and are regarded as potential metastatic precursor cells. However, despite substantial technical progress, the detection and molecular characterization of CTCs remain challenging, in particular the analysis of DNA methylation. As recent studies have started to address the epigenetic state of CTCs, we discuss here the potential of such investigations to elucidate mechanisms of metastasis and to develop tumor biomarkers.
Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. constantin.pixberg@uni-duesseldorf.de.
Constantin F
CF
Pixberg
Department of Urology, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. wolfgang.schulz@uni-duesseldorf.de.
Wolfgang A
WA
Schulz
Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. nikolas.stoecklein@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
Nikolas H
NH
Stoecklein
Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. rui.neves@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
Rui P L
RP
Neves
CTC; DNA methylation; circulating tumor cells; epigenetics; molecular analyses