What Is the Future of Circulating Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer?

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo introduce recent progress on circulating tumor cell (CTC) research in colorectal cancer (CRC) and to highlight clinical application of CTCs from detection to assessment of treatment response.Recent FindingsCTC biological characteristics in CRC play an important role in the detection of CTCs. The in vitro culture of CTCs from CRC patients (cell lines and organoids) can potentially facilitate rapid drug testing and treatment prediction. CTC detection should be standardized with improved detection rate in CRC; further, clinical investigation is still needed to clarify its potential as a tool for early CRC detection, a predictive and prognostic marker to ultimately guide treatment.SummaryGaining an improved understanding of CTCs characteristics and ultimately, integration of CTC detection and utilization of CTCs may lead to optimized tumor treatment and facilitate precision medicine.
Source: Current Colorectal Cancer Reports - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research