title: Circulating tumor cells and DNA for real-time EGFR detection and monitoring of non-small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigate the suitability of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in non-small-cell lung cancer management, which is challenging in conventional biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed serial blood extraction from 120 patients of varying EGFR status. Molecular profiling was performed using droplet digital PCR and correlated to survival outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, we observed 95% agreement using CTCs and ctDNA with conventional tissue biopsies, which indicated the disease's close correlation. The mutant signature was stable and captured the dynamic changes during treatment. It aided to stratify patients with worse survival outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTCs and ctDNA can complement current disease management. We demonstrated its effectiveness in continuous disease profiling, which is critical for clinical decision-making.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jingzhou Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jinfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Haemodialysis Centre, Jingzhou Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jingzhou Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jingping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001706:Biopsy; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: CTCs; EGFR mutations; NSCLC; ctDNA; drug resistance; liquid biopsy