title: Circulating tumor cells in prostate cancer: beyond enumeration.
abstract: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a population of rare cancer cells that have detached from the primary tumor and/or metastatic lesions and entered the peripheral circulation. Enumeration of CTCs has demonstrated value as a prognostic biomarker, and newer studies have pointed to information beyond enumeration that is of critical importance in prostate cancer. Technologic advances that permit examination of the morphology, function, and molecular content of CTCs have made it possible to measure these factors as part of liquid biopsy. These advances provide a way to study tumor evolution and the development of resistance to therapy. Recent breakthroughs have created new applications for CTCs that will affect the care of patients with prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Jie-Fu
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Yi-Tsung
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Hsian-Rong
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.affiliation: Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Figlin
authors.affiliation: Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Edwin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Posadas
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor