Circulating endothelial cells in clinical oncology / 国际肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Circulating endothelial cells(CEC)are mature endothelial cells,which have been shed from the vascular cell lining and enter into blood circulation.Rare in healthy individuals,increased CEC in peripheral blood reflects significant vascular damage and dysfunction.Increased CEC have been documented in many human diseases characterized as vascular damage,including different types of tumors.Clinical data suggest that CEC count is a promising tool for monitoring disease activity with potential to assess tumor prognosis and response to treatment.