Circulating Tumor Cells and Nucleic Acids for Tumor Diagnosis

摘要: After decades of glacial progress, important clinical roles for circulating tumor cells (CTC) and nucleic acids (CNA) are coming into focus at an accelerating pace. Advances in immunohistochemistry, image cytometry, molecular biology have converged to the point where can be analyzed by methods ranging from morphology through 10-color immunohistochemistry FISH whole genome/transcriptome analysis single cells. Cell-free (genomic DNA, mRNA, miRNA) also quantified comprehensively changes like mutation methylation. Circulating found most patients with gastrointestinal malignancy. One test is already FDA approved use determining therapy metastatic colon cancer. Exciting studies shown successful application CTC CNA monitor minimal residual disease targeting tumor-specific mutations gene rearrangements. This approach should expand dramatically as genome transcriptome tumors becomes standard practice. MicroRNA profiling plasma appears a promising way screen many epithelial malignancies. Measurement methylated DNA sequences has impressive specificity sensitivity detection The role cancer ecosystem (the primary, stroma, metastases, disseminated immune cells) could remain elusive even defined but ability fully characterize uncover detailed genomic relationships open window onto dormancy metastasis.