Tumor-associated gene expression in disseminated tumor cells correlates with disease progression and tumor stage in colorectal cancer.

Background: A possible correlation of disease progression and tumor stage in colorectal cancer patients with tumor-associated gene expression in disseminated tumor cells (DTC) was evaluated. Detection of DTC and expression of tumor-associated genes might be of clinical value with respect to individual patient prognosis, monitoring of therapy and as a surrogate tumor staging parameter.

Patients And Methods: In a multicenter study, a total of 196 peripheral blood samples were collected from 76 patients with tumor stage Dukes' A to D and analyzed using a DTC detection assay consisting of immunomagnetic selection and expression analysis of the tumor-associated genes CEA, EGFR and GA733-2.

Heterogeneous expression of tumor-associated genes in disseminated breast cancer cells.

Background: Gene expression profiles were determined to demonstrate heterogeneity of viable disseminated tumor cells (DTC) in the blood of breast cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: All patients (n = 48) suffered from metastatic disease (M1) and were treated with chemotherapy and/or Herceptin, respectively. Blood samples were analyzed by a DTC detection assay consisting of immunomagnetic tumor cell selection combined with expression profiling of the tumor-associated transcripts GA733-2, MUC-1, HER-2 and Claudin-7.

The clinical significance of circulating tumour cells in breast cancer and colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Circulating tumour cells (CTC) in the blood of cancer patients indicate disease progression. Their presence reflects a relapse or metastasising process since CTC survive only a short time in the circulation.

Materials And Methods: Test systems developed by AdnaGen have been used for the sensitive and specific analysis of CTC.

Combination of immunomagnetic enrichment with multiplex RT-PCR analysis for the detection of disseminated tumor cells.

Background: A highly specific and sensitive tumor cell detection assay is reported, which combines immunomagnetic enrichment with multiplex RT-PCR analysis.

Materials And Methods: The effect on the recovery rate of breast, testicular and colorectal cancer cells using single antibodies and combinations of them for IMS was examined by fluorescence microscopy and multiplex RT-PCR. The clinical utility of a tumor cell detection assay using IMS with multiplex RT-PCR was tested by examination of colorectal cancer blood samples and by comparing the results with CEA serum protein levels.