Abstract
Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are cancer cells that split away from the primary tumor and appear in the circulatory system as singular units or clusters, which was first reported by Dr. Thomas Ashworth in 1869. CTCs migrate and implantation occurs at a new site, in a process commonly known as tumor metastasis. In the case of breast cancer, the tumor cells often migrate into locations such as the lungs, brain, and bones, even during the early stages, and this is a notable characteristic of breast cancer. Survival rates have increased significantly over the past few decades because of progress made in radiology and tissue biopsy, making early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer possible. However, liquid biopsy, particularly that involving the collection of CTCs, is a non-invasive method to detect tumor cells in the circulatory system, which can be easily isolated from human plasma, serum, and other body fluids. Compared to traditional tissue biopsies, fluid sample collection has the advantages of being readily available and more acceptable to the patient. It can also detect tumor cells in blood earlier and in smaller numbers, possibly allowing for diagnosis prior to any tumor detection using imaging methods. Because of the scarcity of CTCs circulating in blood vessels (only a few CTCs among billions of erythrocytes and leukocytes), thorough but accurate detection methods are particularly important for further clinical applications.
Highlights
Breast cancer has overtaken lung cancer in 2020 to become the most common type of cancer in the world
As the dissemination of tumors appears to be mostly via the blood, circulating tumor cells that have penetrated the blood vessels to infiltrate potential metastatic sites are of obvious interest [4]; for example, many studies have concluded that the blood-borne dissemination is contributed by EMT in patients with breast cancer [5]
Detection Methods Relying on Physical Properties Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) can be identified from normal cells in blood, such as leukocytes, through physical isolation, without any biomarker labeling
Summary
Breast cancer has overtaken lung cancer in 2020 to become the most common type of cancer in the world. As the dissemination of tumors appears to be mostly via the blood, circulating tumor cells that have penetrated the blood vessels to infiltrate potential metastatic sites are of obvious interest [4]; for example, many studies have concluded that the blood-borne dissemination is contributed by EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) in patients with breast cancer [5]. Because of the extremely low concentration of CTCs in human blood, detection has always been a technical challenge This has led to more research and development in relation to detection methods. This article sets out the current state of recent developments relating to detection methods, commercial systems, and clinical applications of CTCs, as well as the limitations and prospects of each method for reference during clinical processes and as guidance for researchers and clinicians
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