Circulating Tumor Cells versus Imaging—Predicting Overall Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer

摘要: Purpose: The presence of ≥5 circulating tumor cells (CTC) in 7.5 mL blood from patients with measurable metastatic breast cancer before and/or after initiation therapy is associated shorter progression-free and overall survival. In this report, we compared the use CTCs to radiology for prediction Experimental Design: One hundred thirty-eight had imaging studies done a median 10 weeks therapy. All scans were centrally reviewed by two independent radiologists using WHO criteria determine radiologic response. CTC counts determined ∼4 Specimens analyzed at one seven laboratories central laboratory. Results: Interreader variability responses 15.2% 0.7%, respectively. survival 13 (9%) nonprogression was significantly than that 83 (60%) P = 0.0389). 20 (14%) progression 0.0039). Conclusions: Assessment an earlier, more reproducible indication disease status current methods. may be superior surrogate end point, as they are highly correlate better do changes traditional radiology.