Abstract
The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood as well as disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow of breast cancer patients is associated with a worsened prognosis in the primary as well as in the metastatic situation. Next to their detection, evaluation of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) expression is a valuable feature of CTCs/DTCs. As the HER2 status may change during disease progression CTCs/DTCs might (1) characterize the phenotype of minimal residual disease in the adjuvant setting and (2) serve as a "real time biopsy" of metastatic breast cancer. Phenotyping of CTCs/DTCs will thus help to understand mechanism of resistance to HER2-directed therapy. Moreover, patients that are likely to benefit from HER2-directed therapy despite a HER2-negative primary tumor might be identified.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Minimal Residual Disease and Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer |
Editors | Michail Ignatiadis, Christos Sotiriou, Klaus Pantel |
Number of pages | 13 |
Publication date | 2012 |
Pages | 203-215 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783642281594 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |