Optimizing a new method for studying the transcriptome of circulating tumor cells and cluster

Abstract

The mechanisms by which cancer spreads through the process of metastasis are not fully understood. In advanced stage carcinoma, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) spread through the peripheral blood circulation. CTCs are present as both single cells and clusters, and may potentially be the precursor for metastasis, but are very difficult to isolate from samples for analysis. Here we use microfluidic devices designed to selectively capture CTCs and their aggregates from blood samples, with the goal of identifying stem-cell phenotypes.1 The analysis of circulating cancer stem cells may enable the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.