Detection and Characterisation of Occult Metastatic Cells in Bone Marrow of Breast Cancer Patients: Implications for Adjuvant Therapy

摘要: The early and clinically occult spread of viable tumour cells to the organism is becoming acknowledged as a hallmark in cancer progression, since abundant clinical experimental data suggest that these are precursors subsequent distant relapse. Prospective studies have shown presence such immunostained bone marrow prognostically relevant with regard relapse-free overall survival breast patients. As current treatment strategies not resulted substantial improvement mortality rates so far, it noteworthy consider intriguing options immunocytochemical screening aspirates for metastatic cells. Besides improved staging, offers opportunities guiding patient stratification adjuvant therapy trials, monitoring response therapies, which, at present, can only be assessed retrospectively after an extended period follow-up, or specifically targeting tumour-biological therapies against disseminated