Application of circulating tumor cells scope technique on circulating tumor cell research.

Abstract

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are becoming promising biomarkers in several cancers, such as colon, prostate, and breast carcinomas. Independent research groups have reported a correlation between CTC numbers and patient prognosis. Even more, the development of personalized medicine gives physicians impetus to utilize the advancement of molecular characterization of CTCs. This review introduces a new technique, CTCscope, and compares it with the current methods of CTCs detection, with particular emphasis on cancer research, and discusses the future application of this new method from bench to bed-side.