Circulating Tumor Cell Clusters: United We Stand Divided We Fall

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Louis Buscail¹  Etienne Buscail¹  Jean-Philippe Merlio²  Véronique Vendrely²  Samuel Amintas²  Aurélie Bedel²  François Moreau-Gaudry²  Sandrine Dabernat²  Julian Boutin² 

[1] Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France;INSERM U1035, Université de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France;

关键词: liquid biopsy;    circulating tumor cells clusters;    circulating tumor cells;    CTC;    microemboli;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms21072653

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC clusters, also known as tumor microemboli, in biological fluids has long been described. Intensive research on single CTCs has made a significant contribution in understanding tumor invasion, metastasis tropism, and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Moreover, their being minimally invasive biomarkers has positioned them for diagnosis, prognosis, and recurrence monitoring tools. Initially, CTC clusters were out of focus, but major recent advances in the knowledge of their biogenesis and dissemination reposition them as critical actors in the pathophysiology of cancer, especially metastasis. Increasing evidence suggests that “united” CTCs, organized in clusters, resist better and carry stronger metastatic capacities than “divided” single CTCs. This review gathers recent insight on CTC cluster origin and dissemination. We will focus on their distinct molecular package necessary to resist multiple cell deaths that all circulating cells normally face. We will describe the molecular basis of their increased metastatic potential as compared to single CTCs. We will consider their clinical relevance as prognostic biomarkers. Finally, we will propose future directions for research and clinical applications in this promising topic in cancer.

【 授权许可】

Unknown