Molecular characterization and prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are rare epithelial cells that can be found in the peripheral blood of cancer patients. A growing body of evidence indicates that CTCs may play a role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for diagnosis, therapy monitoring and prognostic purposes. CTCs evaluation could be particularly relevant in this clinical setting, considering that physicians often have difficulty in obtaining an adequate tumor tissue and that patients are not always suitable to receive a re-biopsy. In the current review, we will focus on the molecular characterization and prognostic significance of CTCs in NSCLC patients.

Human Cancer and Platelet Interaction, a Potential Therapeutic Target

“…These circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were first identified by Thomas Ashworth in 1869 [ 2 ]. Given the recent progress in CTC isolation, the association between CTC and cancer metastasis or prognosis has been identified in many types of cancer, including lung cancer [ 3 , 4 ], breast cancer [ 5 ], colon cancer [ 6 ] and castration-resistant prostate cancer [ 7 ]. In fact, multiple clinical trials have been done or are ongoing to test whether CTC counts can be used as a prognosis marker.…”

The efficacy of enteral nutrition combined with accelerated rehabilitation in non-small cell lung cancer surgery

“…Over the last decade, significant advances in the molecular characterization of lung cancer have resulted in considerable progress in treatment planning and have led to the creation of effective targeted therapies. [ 6 – 8 ] At present, the main treatment for NSCLC is surgery, and with the development of minimally invasive endoscopic treatment technology, thoracoscopic lobectomy is increasingly being used in the surgical treatment of early lung cancer and pulmonary nodules. [ 9 , 10 ] The patients’ nutritional condition offers the basis for postoperative recovery.…”