Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in metastasis and therapy
Abstract Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which serve as an early indicator of tumors in peripheral blood, are closely associated with unfavorable prognoses in individuals with cancer. Gaining a thorough understanding of the heterogeneity and specific trajectory of CTCs during metastasis can yield va...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Hematology & Oncology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-025-01733-y |
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| _version_ | 1849225969323212800 |
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| author | Chuan Yang Can Liu Chenglai Xia Liwu Fu |
| author_facet | Chuan Yang Can Liu Chenglai Xia Liwu Fu |
| author_sort | Chuan Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which serve as an early indicator of tumors in peripheral blood, are closely associated with unfavorable prognoses in individuals with cancer. Gaining a thorough understanding of the heterogeneity and specific trajectory of CTCs during metastasis can yield valuable insights for the development of effective cancer treatment strategies. This review critically examines the contemporary knowledge of the in vivo process of CTCs, with a focus on the four key stages: dissemination, homing, colonization, and macro-metastasis. Each stage is discussed in terms of its associated characteristics, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), dormancy, organotropism, and awakening. We also discuss recent advancements in CTC isolation, detection, cultivation and its potential applications. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive elucidation of the intricate mechanisms of immune evasion and drug resistance in CTCs, aiming to identify novel targets for cancer therapy. Finally, an overview of CTC interventions is presented, which may facilitate the development of personalized therapeutic approaches for patients and improve their metastasis-free prognostic outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-22a2a1477dd74c2b8fd287c9315f3b0e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1756-8722 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Hematology & Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-22a2a1477dd74c2b8fd287c9315f3b0e2025-08-24T11:47:07ZengBMCJournal of Hematology & Oncology1756-87222025-08-0118113010.1186/s13045-025-01733-yClinical applications of circulating tumor cells in metastasis and therapyChuan Yang0Can Liu1Chenglai Xia2Liwu Fu3State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterThe Affiliated Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Guangdong Medical UniversityThe Affiliated Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Guangdong Medical UniversityState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterAbstract Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which serve as an early indicator of tumors in peripheral blood, are closely associated with unfavorable prognoses in individuals with cancer. Gaining a thorough understanding of the heterogeneity and specific trajectory of CTCs during metastasis can yield valuable insights for the development of effective cancer treatment strategies. This review critically examines the contemporary knowledge of the in vivo process of CTCs, with a focus on the four key stages: dissemination, homing, colonization, and macro-metastasis. Each stage is discussed in terms of its associated characteristics, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), dormancy, organotropism, and awakening. We also discuss recent advancements in CTC isolation, detection, cultivation and its potential applications. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive elucidation of the intricate mechanisms of immune evasion and drug resistance in CTCs, aiming to identify novel targets for cancer therapy. Finally, an overview of CTC interventions is presented, which may facilitate the development of personalized therapeutic approaches for patients and improve their metastasis-free prognostic outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-025-01733-yCirculating tumor cellsMetastasisImmune evasionDrug resistancePersonalized therapy |
| spellingShingle | Chuan Yang Can Liu Chenglai Xia Liwu Fu Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in metastasis and therapy Journal of Hematology & Oncology Circulating tumor cells Metastasis Immune evasion Drug resistance Personalized therapy |
| title | Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in metastasis and therapy |
| title_full | Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in metastasis and therapy |
| title_fullStr | Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in metastasis and therapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in metastasis and therapy |
| title_short | Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in metastasis and therapy |
| title_sort | clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in metastasis and therapy |
| topic | Circulating tumor cells Metastasis Immune evasion Drug resistance Personalized therapy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13045-025-01733-y |
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