Current Applications and Future Directions of Circulating Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer Recurrence

Kun Yu Tsai, Po Shuan Huang, Po Yu Chu, Thi Ngoc Anh Nguyen, Hsin Yuan Hung, Chia Hsun Hsieh, Min Hsien Wu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ability to predict or detect colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence early after surgery enables physicians to apply appropriate treatment plans and different follow-up strategies to improve patient survival. Overall, 30–50% of CRC patients experience cancer recurrence after radical surgery, but current surveillance tools have limitations in the precise and early detection of cancer recurrence. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells that detach from the primary tumor and enter the bloodstream. These can provide real-time information on disease status. CTCs might become novel markers for predicting CRC recurrence and, more importantly, for making decisions about additional adjuvant chemotherapy. In this review, the clinical application of CTCs as a therapeutic marker for stage II CRC is described. It then discusses the utility of CTCs for monitoring cancer recurrence in advanced rectal cancer patients who undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Finally, it discusses the roles of CTC subtypes and CTCs combined with clinicopathological factors in establishing a multimarker model for predicting CRC recurrence.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2316
JournalCancers
Volume16
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - 24 06 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.

Keywords

  • adjuvant chemotherapy
  • circulating tumor cells
  • clinical application
  • colorectal cancer recurrence
  • CTC subtypes
  • CTCs
  • multiple parameters
  • neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Current Applications and Future Directions of Circulating Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer Recurrence'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this