title: Circulating tumor cell isolation: the assets of filtration methods with polycarbonate track-etched filters.
abstract: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) arise from primary or secondary tumors and enter the bloodstream by active or passive intravasation. Given the low number of CTCs, enrichment is necessary for detection. Filtration methods are based on selection of CTCs by size using a filter with 6.5 to 8 µm pores. After coloration, collected CTCs are evaluated according to morphological criteria. Immunophenotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques may be used. Selected CTCs can also be cultivated in vitro to provide more material. Analysis of genomic mutations is difficult because it requires adapted techniques due to limited DNA materials. Filtration-selected CTCs have shown prognostic value in many studies but multicentric validating trials are mandatory to strengthen this assessment. Other clinical applications are promising such as follow-up, therapy response prediction and diagnosis. Microfluidic emerging systems could optimize filtration-selected CTCs by increasing selection accuracy.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pathology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen Cedex 76031, France ; 2 Inserm U1079, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, University of Rouen, CS 76183, Rouen Cedex 76183, France.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dolfus
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pathology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen Cedex 76031, France ; 2 Inserm U1079, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, University of Rouen, CS 76183, Rouen Cedex 76183, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Piton
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pathology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen Cedex 76031, France ; 2 Inserm U1079, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, University of Rouen, CS 76183, Rouen Cedex 76183, France.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toure
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pathology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen Cedex 76031, France ; 2 Inserm U1079, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, University of Rouen, CS 76183, Rouen Cedex 76183, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sabourin
keywords: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs); biological markers; filtration