Open Access

Detection of circulating tumor cells: Advances and critical concerns (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Xiuxiu Hu
    • Xiaojuan Zang
    • Yanguan Lv
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 29, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12683
  • Article Number: 422
  • Copyright: © Hu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer‑related death and the major challenge in cancer treatment. Cancer cells in circulation are termed circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Primary tumor metastasis is likely due to CTCs released into the bloodstream. These CTCs extravasate and form fatal metastases in different organs. Analyses of CTCs are clarifying the biological understanding of metastatic cancers. These data are also helpful to monitor disease progression and to inform the development of personalized cancer treatment‑based liquid biopsy. However, CTCs are a rare cell population with 1‑10 CTCs per ml and are difficult to isolate from blood. Numerous approaches to detect CTCs have been developed based on the physical and biological properties of the cells. The present review summarizes the progress made in detecting CTCs.
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May-2021
Volume 21 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Hu X, Zang X and Lv Y: Detection of circulating tumor cells: Advances and critical concerns (Review). Oncol Lett 21: 422, 2021
APA
Hu, X., Zang, X., & Lv, Y. (2021). Detection of circulating tumor cells: Advances and critical concerns (Review). Oncology Letters, 21, 422. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12683
MLA
Hu, X., Zang, X., Lv, Y."Detection of circulating tumor cells: Advances and critical concerns (Review)". Oncology Letters 21.5 (2021): 422.
Chicago
Hu, X., Zang, X., Lv, Y."Detection of circulating tumor cells: Advances and critical concerns (Review)". Oncology Letters 21, no. 5 (2021): 422. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.12683