Expression level of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of patients with NSCLC as an early indicator to monitor the effects of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: An early indicator for monitoring the effect of adjuvant treatment after lung cancer surgery is urgently needed. The study was to explore the effects of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in NSCLC patients with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: Two drugs (platinum-containing chemotherapeutics + platinum-free chemotherapeutics) first-line chemotherapy regimen were given after surgery. MRNA of EpCAM was detected. Chest computed tomography, head computed tomography and abdominal B-ultrasound were reviewed before the first and third chemotherapy.

Results: EpCAM in CTCs from peripheral blood between the recurrent group and the non-recurrent group at 1 day before surgery, first, second and third adjuvant chemotherapy were no significant differences (P>0.05). Only one day before the fourth adjuvant chemotherapy treatment, it showed significant difference between the recurrent group and the non-recurrent group (P=0.008). There was a significant difference between the time of imaging diagnosis of recurrence or metastasis and the time of monitoring the expression level of EpCAM in CTCs from peripheral blood (P<0.0001).

Conclusions: EpCAM in CTCs from peripheral blood during postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was related to recurrence or metastasis of NSCLC patients.