Correlation between Cancer Stem Cells and Circulating Tumor Cells and Their Value

Abstract

Background: The scientific community has proven the value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as a prognostic factor in the development of cancer and progress to metastases [1–4]. Simultaneously, a new type of cancer stem cell-like (CSC-like) cells has also been established as a progenitor of metastases and relapses in cancer patients [5, 6]. The present research attempts to support the hypothesis that CTCs have all the cellular hallmarks of CSC-like cells which play a crucial role in cancer spreading. Materials and Methods: Two methods have been chosen: a cellular-based and a molecular-based method. The first method is based on the fact that CSCs form microspheres in culture. In the second method, microspheres develop in the presence of specific markers that define the CSC phenotype [6]. Results: In cellular-based assays, it has been shown that microspheres form in semi-suspension in a culture flask. In the second panel of the test, Nanog was chosen as a marker and the tested sample was positive when grown under specific conditions. Conclusion: Our analysis has demonstrated that in this particular case, CSCs-like cells are included in the vast majority of CTCs.

Evolving Strategies for Therapeutically Targeting Cancer Stem Cells

“…Anoikis resistance is essential for cancer cells to endure the process of dissemination via the circulatory and lymphatic systems, after detachment from primary sites (Kim, Koo, Sung, Yun, & Kim, 2012). There is increasing evidence of a correlation between these anoikis-resistant circulating tumor cells and CSCs (Kantara et al, 2015;Katoh et al, 2015;Scatena, Bottoni, & Giardina, 2013;Toloudi, Apostolou, Chatziioannou, & Papasotiriou, 2011). Detection of anoikis-resistant circulating tumor cells is currently an active area of cancer research.…”

Cancer Stem Cells Stemness Transcription Factors Expression Correlates with Breast Cancer Disease Stage

“…It is well known both from literature and also from experimental data, that circulating tumor cells are a subset of blood origin cells which have similar size with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are included in the vast majority of CTCs [1,2]. The CSCs are proposed to initiate cancer and propagate metastasis.…”

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and the recurrence of breast cancer in a tertiary care rural hospital of West Bengal, India

“…28,29 Increase in number of circulating cancer stem cells in circulation after NACT in breast cancer was also demonstrated in some studies. [30][31][32] This dislodgment of cancer stem cells in circulation may sort out future direction of cancer chemotherapy.…”