Abstract
The dissemination of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) requires the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal transition (EMT), in which cells lose their epithelial characteristics and acquire more mesenchymal-like phenotypes. Current isolation of CTCs relies on affinity-based approaches reliant on the expression of Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM). Here we show EMT-induced breast cancer cells maintained in prolonged mammosphere culture conditions possess increased EMT markers and cancer stem cell markers, as well as reduced cell mass and size by quantitative phase microscopy; however, EpCAM expression is dramatically decreased in these cells. Moreover, CTCs isolated from breast cancer patients using a label-free microfluidic flow fractionation device had differing expression patterns of EpCAM, indicating that affinity approaches reliant on EpCAM expression may underestimate CTC number and potentially miss critical subpopulations. Further characterization of CTCs, including low-EpCAM populations, using this technology may improve detection techniques and cancer diagnosis, ultimately improving cancer treatment.
Highlights
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), located in the peripheral blood of cancer patients, are highly correlated with the invasive behavior of some types of cancer
We show Epithelial-toMesenchymal transition (EMT)-induced breast cancer cells maintained in prolonged mammosphere culture conditions possess increased EMT markers and cancer stem cell markers, as well as reduced cell mass and size by quantitative phase microscopy; Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) expression is dramatically decreased in these cells
Since our data suggest that serial mammosphere culture of cancer cells induces the EMT process, and these cells show EMTrelated changes in gene expression, we further explored the physical properties of EMT-induced cancer cells
Summary
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), located in the peripheral blood of cancer patients, are highly correlated with the invasive behavior of some types of cancer. The precise detection and isolation of CTCs may be a powerful tool in cancer prognosis, diagnosis of minimal residual disease, assessment of tumor sensitivity to anticancer drugs, and personalization of anticancer therapy. There has been major progress in detecting CTCs in peripheral blood over the last decade due to the development of CTC-enrichment technologies, based on expression of the Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) [2, 3]. Standardized detection and isolation methodologies, as well as single cell omics technologies are likely to be at the forefront of the CTC field [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
