Abstract TS2-2: Biology, Vulnerabilities and Clinical Implications of CTC Clusters

Abstract

Abstract CTC clusters have recently emerged as key players in the metastatic process. With a combination of microfluidic technologies and single cell-resolution molecular analysis applied to breast cancer patients and mouse models, we gained fundamental insights into the biology, vulnerabilities, and clinical implications of CTC clusters. For instance, we found that their physical features enable molecular changes that promote stemness and metastasis, allowing us to define new treatments to suppress their metastatic potential. Further, we investigated CTC heterogeneity at the single cell level, revealing fundamental interactions that occur between CTCs and immune cells and that accelerate metastasis formation. Thus, our findings support a model whereby CTCs form multicellular aggregates with each other as well as with immune cells to expand their metastatic potential, providing a new rationale for targeting these interactions in breast cancer. Citation Format: N Aceto. Biology, Vulnerabilities and Clinical Implications of CTC Clusters [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr TS2-2.