Abstract CN02-01: CTCs in small cell lung cancer: Biomarkers and biology.

Abstract

Abstract Tumor biopsies from lung cancer patients are challenging, particularly so in metastatic disease and development of informative minimally invasive biomarkers are much needed. In this presentation I will review the current status of CTCs in lung cancer as prognostic, predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers. The presentation will then focus on Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), an aggressive, neuroendocrine tumor with early dissemination and dismal prognosis accounting for 15-20% lung cancer cases and ∼200,000 deaths globally each year. Most cases are inoperable and biopsies to interrogate SCLC biology are rarely obtained. Improved treatment outcomes for SCLC patients requires new approaches to interrogate the biology and genetics of the disease, appropriate methods to investigate the rapid onset of acquired resistance to current chemotherapy and tractable, patient derived models with which to test new therapies. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are prevalent in SCLC. I will describe how we isolate a molecularly profile single CTCs and discuss the development of our new CTC mouse. These new models that can be generated longitudinally from patients at diagnosis and at relapse, together with an analysis of CTC heterogeneity will facilitate a thorough investigation of the mechanisms of acquired drug resistance, and may identify new targets for improved therapy. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):CN02-01. Citation Format: Caroline Dive. CTCs in small cell lung cancer: Biomarkers and biology. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr CN02-01.