Current Methods of Circulating Tumor Cell Detection

• Main Authors: Minji Lim, Yoon-Kyoung Cho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Yong Chan Lee 2018-09-01
• Series: The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research
• Subjects: Circulating tumor cells; Liquid biopsy; Stomach cancer
• Online Access: http://www.helicojournal.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.7704/kjhugr.2018.18.3.157

Liquid biopsy, the analysis of circulating biomarkers from peripheral blood, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA, and exosomes, offers a less invasive, new source of cancer-derived materials that may reflect the status of the disease better and thereby contribute to personalized treatment. Recent advances in microfluidics and molecular analysis technologies have resulted in greatly improved CTC enumeration and detection. In this article, we review commercially available technologies used to isolate CTCs from peripheral blood, including immunoaffinity and label-free, physical property-based isolation methods. Although enormous technological progress has been made, especially within the last decade, only a few CTC detection methods have been approved for routine clinical use. Here, we provide an overview of the current CTC isolation methods and examples of their potential application for early diagnosis, prognosis, treatment monitoring, and prediction of resistance to cancer therapy. Furthermore, the challenges that remain to be addressed before such tools are implemented for routine use in clinical settings are discussed.