23P Transcriptional profiling of circulating tumor and hybrid cells in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Metastasis is initiated by tumor cells detached from the primary tumor and entering the bloodstream. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are presented by clusters and individual cells which consist of phenotypically and genetically distinct subpopulations. However, only a few CTCs can survive in the bloodstream and form metastases. Deciphering CTC heterogeneity represents a promising instrument for the identification of the metastasis-initiating cells and developing therapeutic strategies against metastatic disease.