Enumeration and Molecular Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells for Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Metastatic Cancer

A liquid biopsy is a non-invasive alternative to a surgical biopsy that enables researchers to learn a range of information about a tumor through a simple blood sample. Often the blood of those with metastatic cancer has been found to contain cells that are morphologically identical to cancer cells. These are known as circulating tumor cells, or CTCs, which are tumor cells that have shed from the primary tumor into the peripheral blood circulation system. Detection and analysis of CTCs within a liquid biopsy sample can allow for the monitoring of cancer progression over a period of time. Learn about methods for the enumeration and isolation of CTCs as well as the significance of molecular profiling of CTCs for the study and monitoring of metastatic cancers.

 

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