Circulating tumor cells in breast cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in breast cancer patients can be detected by Cell Search system. Results from recent studies suggested that CTCs level might serve as a prognostic marker and be used in the early assessment of therapeutic response in patients with metastatic breast cancer. However the role of CTCs in early stage breast cancer is not well established. Large prospective trials are needed to further understand its biological characteristics and to confirm its role as a predictive and prognostic marker.