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Circulating tumor cells in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Feasibility of detection and quantitation
Author(s) -
Kawada Tomoyuki,
Takahashi Hideyuki,
Sakakura Koichi,
Ida Shota,
Mito Ikko,
Toyoda Minoru,
Chikamatsu Kazuaki
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24893
Subject(s) - circulating tumor cell , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , cytokeratin , medicine , antibody , pathology , epithelial cell adhesion molecule , carcinoma , head and neck cancer , head and neck , cancer , immunohistochemistry , metastasis , immunology , surgery
Background The purpose of this study was to present our findings that because circulating tumor cells (CTCs) exist in extremely low numbers, their detection and quantification are challenging. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from 32 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and were subjected to the CellSieve Microfiltration Assay using a low‐pressure filtration system. The CTCs captured by the filter were stained with an antibody cocktail (anti‐cytokeratin (CK) 8, 18, and 19, anti‐epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), and anti‐CD45 antibodies). Results The CTCs were detected in 29 of 32 patients (90.6%). Although patients with advanced disease had a significantly higher number of CTCs, the clinical N classification was not associated with the CTC count. After treatment, the CTC count showed a significant decrease. Conclusion The CTCs were successfully detected and quantified in patients with HNSCC by using a low‐pressure filtration system equipped with precision microfilters. Further studies using a larger number of patient samples and/or molecular analysis of CTCs are warranted.