Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells

Numerous studies have shown that elevated levels of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood of cancer patients are associated with poor response to treatment and inferior survival probabilities. Despite this clinical significance, the molecular biology of CTCs remains poorly understood. The paucity in molecular information can be attributed to the tremendous technical challenges involved in isolating these extremely rare cells. Recent technological advancements in rare-cell technology, however, have allowed for the reliable enrichment and isolation of CTCs. Consequently, the use of recently developed molecular approaches -e.g., multiplexed QPCR, microarray, and next generation sequencing analyses- to profile CTCs have provided novel insights into the molecular makeup of these tumor cells. This book discusses approaches for enrichment and isolation of CTCs as well as recent advances in comprehensive molecular profiling of CTCs using cutting-edge omics technology.

Numerous studies have shown that elevated levels of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood of cancer patients are associated with poor response to treatment and inferior survival probabilities. Despite this clinical significance, the molecular biology of CTCs remains poorly understood. The paucity in molecular information can be attributed to the tremendous technical challenges involved in isolating these extremely rare cells. Recent technological advancements in rare-cell technology, however, have allowed for the reliable enrichment and isolation of CTCs. Consequently, the use of recently developed molecular approaches —e.g., multiplexed QPCR, microarray, and next generation sequencing analyses— to profile CTCs have provided novel insights into the molecular makeup of these tumor cells. This book discusses approaches for enrichment and isolation of CTCs as well as recent advances in comprehensive molecular profiling of CTCs using cutting-edge omics technology.

Preface.- Circulating Tumor Cells as Cancer Biomarkers.- Strategies for Isolation and Molecular Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells.- Aptamer-Based Methods for Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells and Their Potential for Personalized Diagnostics.- Development of a Protocol for Single-Cell Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Solid Tumors.- Flow Cytometric Methods for Circulating Tumor Cell Isolation and Molecular Analysis.- Enrichment and Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells and Other Rare Cell Populations by Microfluidic Filtration.- Detection and Enumeration of Circulating Tumor Cells with Invasive Phenotype.- Molecular Profiling and Significance of Circulating Tumor Cell Based Genetic Signatures.- Detection of Gene-Rearrangements in Circulating Tumor Cells: Examples of ALK-, ROS1-, RET-Rearrangements in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and ERG-Rearrangements in Prostate Cancer.- Enrichment, Isolation, and Molecular Characterization of EpCAM-Negative Circulating Tumor Cells.- Expression of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Circulating Tumor Cells.