ANALYSIS OF CIRCULATING TUMOR CELLS AS DIAGNOSTIC AND PREDICTIVE BIOMARKERS FOR METASTATIC CANCERS

摘要

A method of analyzing circulating tumor cells includes separating circulating tumor cells from a subject's blood sample by filtration; separating CD45-negative cells from any retained blood cells; and determining the EMT-related gene expression profiles, nanomechanical and/or nanochemical properties of the collected CD45-negative CTC cells. Analysis of the collected circulating tumor cells enables the investigators to make a quick and accurate assessment of the metastatic behavior of the subject's circulating tumor cells for early castration-resistance and metastasis prediction in a clinical setting.