Presence and number of CTCs predicted progression-free and overall survival.
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have clinical utility in metastatic breast cancer, where their presence inversely correlates with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In early-stage breast cancer (EBC), however, data about the role of CTCs are lacking. Researchers conducted a prospective study involving 302 chemo-naive patients with newly diagnosed stage I, II, or III EBC (mean age, 54; median follow-up, 35 months). Peripheral blood samples were collected at the time of primary surgery and evaluated for the presence of CTCs using Veridex's CellSearch System (a semiautomated fluorescence-based system).
A total of 229 patients (76%) had no identified CTCs per 7.5-ml blood sample, 73 patients had one or more CTCs, 29 patien…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardLilly; AstraZeneca; Gilead
Grant/Research SupportBreast Cancer Research Foundation
Editorial BoardsClinical Breast Cancer; Oncology; Annals of Surgery; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (Chair, Breast Cancer Panel); American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology Board)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardLilly; AstraZeneca; Gilead
Grant/Research SupportBreast Cancer Research Foundation
Editorial BoardsClinical Breast Cancer; Oncology; Annals of Surgery; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (Chair, Breast Cancer Panel); American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology Board)