Abstract
Diagnostic based on analysis of living tumor cells is frequently used in oncology. Circulating tumor cells in the blood and cells obtained from a tumor biopsy are used to access their carcinogenic properties and subsequently to predict possible development of the disease. Here we report use of these two tests to assess aggressiveness and metastatic potential of a bronchial adenocarcinoma. The circulating tumor cells test was negative, no circulating cells was observed. It indicates that there was no metastatic spread. However, test with the surgery biopsy showed presence of aggressive cellular clones. The tumor cells from the biopsy proliferated and spread from the cultured tissue. Moreover, the tumor cells formed colonies of cells which lost contact inhibition. This is an indication of aggressive carcinogenic features of the cells in tumor organoids. Combination of both tests showed that the local tumor had an aggressive phenotype, but no detectable spreading of cells. Therefore, these tests support a management plan with removal the primary tumor and regular monitoring, without need of an extensive chemotherapy.
Highlights
Tests of living cells obtained from a tumor allow evaluation of the cellular tumorigenic behavior and responsiveness to drugs [1, 2]
Current standard of cancer diagnostics includes histopathological and markers tests with a tumor biopsy and body fluids, e.g. the blood, which are performed with samples containing fixed and non-living cells
We describe application of two tests with living cells to access metastatic potential and aggressiveness of the tumor cells
Summary
Tests of living cells obtained from a tumor allow evaluation of the cellular tumorigenic behavior and responsiveness to drugs [1, 2]. Organ culture approach shows better correlation of cellular behavior with clinical outputs This is explained by preservation of three-dimensional structure of cells, cell-cell contacts and presence of tumor matrix and stroma [8,9,10]. If tumor cells do not show aggressive behavior and maintain low proliferation rate and cell-cell interactions typical for nontumorigenic cells, that may indicate that the tumor is not aggressive In this case report, we describe application of two tests with living cells to access metastatic potential and aggressiveness of the tumor cells.
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