Label-free isolation of circulating tumor cells in microfluidic devices: Current research and perspectives.

This review will cover the recent advances in label-free approaches to isolate and manipulate circulating tumor cells (CTCs). In essence, label-free approaches do not rely on antibodies or biological markers for labeling the cells of interest, but enrich them using the differential physical properties intrinsic to cancer and blood cells. We will discuss technologies that isolate cells based on their biomechanical and electrical properties. Label-free approaches to analyze CTCs have been recently invoked as a valid alternative to "marker-based" techniques, because classical epithelial and tumor markers are lost on some CTC populations and there is no comprehensive phenotypic definition for CTCs. We will highlight the advantages and drawbacks of these technologies and the status on their implementation in the clinics.

Melanoma: differences between Asian and Caucasian patients

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Cutaneous melanoma is rare in Asia and the clinical presentation and outcome of melanoma is not well described in Southeast Asia. In addition, it is unclear if ethnic variations exist between the various racial groups. The objective of our study is to present the clinical characteristics of melanoma in Singapore and to highlight ethnical differences between Asians and Caucasians living in Singapore.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Data were retrospectively collected from 48 patients with histological confirmation of melanoma who were seen in both the National Skin Centre and National Cancer Centre of Singapore.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) was the most common subtype of melanoma in Singapore (50%). A higher proportion of non-ALM subtypes of melanoma compared to ALM were diagnosed at stage 1 (48% vs. 25%). The delay in diagnosis of ALM was 27 months compared to 12 months in other subtypes. Compared to Caucasians, there was a trend towards Asian patients being older, having a higher proportion of ALM and a longer delay to diagnosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Geographical and ethnic variations in the clinical presentation of melanoma exist. Specially adapted programmes are necessary to increase awareness of the different clinical presentation of melanoma in Asia and to encourage examination of the palms and soles in order to reduce the delay in diagnosis.</p>

Nasal metastases from renal cell carcinoma are associated with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center poor-prognosis classification / 癌症

Unusual sites of metastases are recognized in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the prognostic implications of these sites are not well understood. We used the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) risk classification for metastatic RCC to evaluate 912 consecutive patients with RCC managed at the Singapore General Hospital between 1990 and 2009. Among these patients, 301 had metastases either at diagnosis or during the course of illness. Nasal metastases, all arising from clear cell RCC, were identified histologically in 4 patients (1.3% of those with metastasis). All 4 patients were classified as MSKCC poor prognosis by current risk criteria. Nasal metastases were significantly associated with lung and bone metastases. The frequency of nasal metastases in patients with metastatic RCC is about 1%, occurring predominantly in patients with clear cell RCC. Nasal metastases are associated with poor prognosis as estimated by the MSKCC risk classification, with attendant implications for selection of targeted therapy, and are usually associated with multi-organ dissemination, including concurrent lung and bone involvement.